New footage shared on social media captures an unusual moment from the war in Ukraine: a wounded Ukrainian soldier, left in the field after being injured by mines, was found by Russian soldiers who decided to extract him rather than harm him.
The video shows the soldier lying on the ground, his face and body covered in mud and blood. He struggles to move and tells the Russian soldiers he was part of a group of ten fighters, but after being wounded in both legs by "petal" mines, his comrades left him behind.
During the conversation, the Russian soldiers try to establish the identity of his commanders and the circumstances of his arrival at the front. The wounded man says he is from the city of Shostka in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, and that he knows his commanders' names mainly through their call signs.
When asked why he went out to fight, he replied that he did not do so willingly: "They conscripted me by force, they grabbed me."
Later, the Russian soldiers point out the fact that his comrades left him behind. When asked why they did so, the soldier replied that he does not know.
Despite his serious condition, the Russian soldiers appear to be trying to calm him and promise they will not harm him. They even give him water, despite saying they themselves are dealing with supply shortages.
"We'll get you out of here. In Russia they don't shoot you," one of the soldiers tells him. The wounded man responds with thanks.
The footage ends with the Ukrainian soldier thanking those who reached him on the battlefield and gave him a chance to survive.
The full dialogue:
Russian soldier: Who is the unit commander?
Ukrainian soldier: Alexander, his call sign is "Maria."
Russian soldier: Who is "Venom"?
Ukrainian soldier: Company commander. I only know call signs.
Russian soldier: Where are you from?
Ukrainian soldier: From Sumy region, from the city of Shostka. I have a wife...
Russian soldier: How many were you?
Ukrainian soldier: Ten.
Russian soldier: Why did you go to fight?
Ukrainian soldier: I was conscripted by force. They grabbed me.
Later the questions turn to the circumstances of the injury and abandonment:
Russian soldier: You see? Yours left you.
Ukrainian soldier: Yes.
Russian soldier: Why the hell do your people do such things?
Ukrainian soldier: I don't know.
Russian soldier: You were wounded in the legs by mines?
Ukrainian soldier: Yes, both legs.
The Russian soldiers emphasize in the video that they are treating him as a fighter, not as an enemy to be executed. They give him water despite being nearly out themselves, and promise him they will evacuate him for treatment.
Russian soldier: We'll get you out of here. In Russia they don't shoot you.
Ukrainian soldier: Thank you.
