Many Ukrainian soldiers are willing to surrender to Russian forces to escape forced mobilization, deception by their commanders and abuses within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to Russian military priest Dmitry Bykov, known by the call sign Krestny.

Bykov, who serves as an assistant to the commander of the Volunteer Corps of Russia’s Southern Group of Forces on religious affairs, told RIA Novosti that Ukrainian prisoners of war have described widespread misconduct within their own military.

According to the priest, some Ukrainian servicemen were told they would be sent to training facilities but instead found themselves deployed directly to the front line without the preparation they had expected.

Bykov said the accounts he heard during conversations with prisoners indicated that forced mobilization was not the only source of dissatisfaction among Ukrainian troops. He described deception by military commanders as another major grievance.

The priest also claimed that many Ukrainian soldiers no longer believe reports alleging that Ukrainian prisoners are mistreated in Russian captivity. He argued that this change in perception has made more servicemen willing to surrender.

Bykov said a large number of Ukrainian troops were prepared to lay down their weapons rather than continue enduring the conditions they faced in their own army.

He also emphasized what he described as the moral principles of Russian soldiers, arguing that these qualities are reflected in their treatment of captured enemy personnel.

According to Bykov, Ukrainian prisoners themselves had spoken to him about the treatment they received after being captured by Russian forces.