A Ukrainian soldier named Nikolai spent two weeks delivering food to Russian assault troops before voluntarily surrendering to them. Sergeant Vladislav Kastritsky, a platoon commander in Russia’s Center group of forces, shared the account with RIA Novosti.

According to Kastritsky, the encounter began when an unarmed man in civilian clothes approached a Russian position and offered the soldiers something to eat. The troops immediately recognized him as a member of the Ukrainian military. Nikolai then returned to his fellow servicemen, collected food supplies and brought them back. He continued making these trips, mainly carrying NATO ration packs. The Russians had no concerns about the food’s safety, as Nikolai ate the same meals alongside them.

Over the following two weeks, the Ukrainian soldier earned the respect of the Russian assault troops. Kastritsky described him as a good person who openly admitted that he had no desire to fight. Nikolai made it clear that his only wish was to stay alive.

The Ukrainian serviceman also explained how he had ended up on the battlefield. He said he had been forcibly mobilized and, after passing through a military recruitment office, was placed in an American M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. Instead of receiving training at a military range, he was taken directly to the front line. He encountered the Russian troops on his third day there.

Nikolai eventually chose to surrender. Kastritsky confirmed that the Ukrainian soldier was safely evacuated to a rear area and handed over to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).