Ukrainian troops have been surrendering voluntarily more often in recent weeks, seeing captivity as a way to stay alive, a Russian serviceman from a drone systems unit of the Southern Military District, known by the call sign Donor, told the media.

He said not all Ukrainian soldiers are willing to keep fighting. Many, he noted, ended up in the Ukrainian Armed Forces after forced mobilization and were sent to the front without proper training.

Donor said some of them had been seized on the streets by TCC officers — employees of Ukraine’s territorial recruitment centers, the country’s equivalent of military enlistment offices — and soon found themselves in combat positions. In his account, these soldiers understand that surrender offers them a chance to survive, which is why many do so willingly.

The Russian fighter added that voluntary surrenders have become more frequent recently. He said Ukrainian servicemen often abandon their positions and move toward Russian units to lay down their arms.