EXPLAINED: What We Learned From Interviewing Russian POWs

This week Kyiv Post interviewed two Russian prisoners of war.
What we learned is that the situation in the Russian army is really as bad as many Ukrainian and Western reports are claiming.
In this video we’ll look at what motivated these men to join the army to fight in Ukraine, how poorly prepared they were, how they feel about Vladimir Putin and how they see their future prospects.
Read the full interview here:
www.kyivpost.com/post/23861
Watch the report on Russian losses here:
• EXPLAINED: Record Russ...
*The interview was conducted at a military facility in accordance with the international conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war. There was a Ukrainian soldier present in the room with the captives and the reporter. The captives were not required to answer any questions and could leave the interview at any time.
The prisoners identified themselves by name, but Kyiv Post has used pseudonyms to keep their identities confidential.
#Ukraine #Russia #warinukraine

[@marymarlow3646]

It reminds me of the Cold War. Anyone who’d been to the west couldn’t be trusted because they knew the truth.

[@GWNorth-db8vn]

It's from Stalin's day at least. After WWII, anyone who'd been a POW was sent straight into the Gulag. Most of them didn't get out until Khrushchev closed the camps in the mid-fifties.

[@felixalbion]

​@@GWNorth-db8vnNot completely true, a lot of Russian prisoners that returned to Russia at the end of the war were executed on arrival.

[@GWNorth-db8vn]

@@felixalbion - I've heard that. The few I met in Canada obviously were survivors due to luck or being more useful than most.

[@reinokarvinen8845]

@@GWNorth-db8vn some got shot in the head when arriving by train from finland.

[@imapseudonym1403]

@@GWNorth-db8vn the gulags are still in operation. At a much reduced capacity of course, but they are there, and still work prisoners to death on a regular basis.

[@gregorydesleskine3413]

In ruzzia you get 15 years in prison for speaking out against the war in Ukraine, but only 7 and a half years for murder. Now that speaks about orc justice, doesn't it?

[@joejarvis2497]

That's orcs for ya. Their hunger for human flesh is insatiable.

[@MikeOxlong-]

@@Chaldon-hl6ykYerghei Strokinoff…

[@sking3492]

And then some.

[@4evaavfc]

All the best to Ukraine. This is a great video because it is clear.

[@leightongalleries6057]

I love the fact that these are short, informative, and to the point. Not like others who DRAG it out to 20 or 30 minutes with less content. THANK YOU

[@joekertesz8470]

And you believe this crap?😂

[@leightongalleries6057]

@@joekertesz8470 ?

[@joekertesz8470]

@@leightongalleries6057 Sorry, wrong person.

[@leightongalleries6057]

@@joekertesz8470 Though so. Thanks

[@TonyM540]

It never ceases to amaze me how insightful and knowledgeable these prisoners are, as soon as they’re captured.

[@ohdearearthlings1879]

Hypocritical self interested grubs. (the convicts, not the deluded peasants)

[@miketrusky476]

Experience is not the best teacher but is the knowledge you always remember.

[@rvarsigfusson6163]

The biggest shock for the ruzzian POW is getting taking care of in Ukraine as a human being and not as a potato as in ruzzia...... that`s a big surprise for them and they will tell about it at home.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Another model of clarity and brevity...BBC ITV CNN, take note....have a great weekend everyone, peace and love from the wirral peninsula...E..❤😊...

[@HarrySmoothhoundHyde]

Brilliant presenting as always Anya - professional & informative- Slava Ukraini (& wishing yourself & colleagues a safe & pleasant weekend) ❤ to all Ukrainians 🇺🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇧

[@kyiv_post]

Thank you very much! 😊

[@donlovato2067]

i totally agree with you Harry Smooth Hound Hyde . 🤙🏾

[@notreallydavid]

I can only echo these unimprovable words.

[@mausplan3890]

interesting report and Anja is sooooooooooo cute

[@acewings221]

Anya, I’ve been practicing my Ukrainian and I just wanted to say я тебе люблю… ❤️

[@paulhampel8084]

Always worth watching. Thank you.

[@eddybrevet6816]

Putin resides in a house of lies, the scenery is delusions, I cud go on,

[@romanstingler435]

It breaks my heart to see the sadness in Anya's face. I wish all Ukrainians good health and a strong mind. Слава украіні.

[@AstroGremlinAmerican]

She smiles at the end. Very well spoken and naturally beautiful.

[@frankshally9456]

As always an excellent video.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Certainly better than the BBC or CNN , keep up with the great work that you do....E...

[@shaunfarrell3834]

If only this insight could be got through to the rest of the population, but of course they have been so inculcated with propaganda for so long that they would dismiss it as "Ukrainian/NATO propaganda". How many of their purported loved ones do they need to lose before te scales finally fall from their eyes? Excellent report though I think the rest of the world has been aware of this long before Sergei did.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

As our late Queen Elizabeth ,remarked, recollections may vary...truth is a lonely word these days...E...

[@healysn]

This channel sounds to me like propaganda. It's the ukrainian army that's suffering the massive losses and is poorly supplied. They don't have ammo and are running out of men. Russia is advancing all across the front.

[@MrCobalt]

Most of those "people" spouting propaganda online are just Russian paid commenters, with the occasional idiots willing to believe them sprinkled in and parroting the same nonsense.

[@neeleynonea]

​@@eamonnclabby7067 wise woman. guess you learn something living as long as she did.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@neeleynonea...always willing to learn my friend...Mrs C and I had Morning has broken at our wedding..the Cat Stevens version of the Gaelic air...peace and love...as fellow scouser ,Ringo might say...E..❤❤😊😊

[@sunshine4sue2]

🗽🇺🇸 I stand with Ukraine 🧑‍🤝‍🧑👫👭 🇺🇦🕊️🇺🇸🌻✝️Keep the faith 🫂with much Love from Indiana, USA🙏💙💛

[@unprofor9394]

Thank You, Anya. Thanks, KyivPost. Stay Safe and Strong!🙏🏻 SLAVA UKRAINI from Norway! 🇺🇦💙💛💪🏻🌻🌹🇳🇴

[@sdragut]

nice and to the point. excellent presentation.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

True.....😊

[@donaldmackerer9032]

Very interesting. Long live Ukraine! Greetings from the state of Georgia USA

[@gohibniugoh1668]

Great report! Slava Ukraine from the USA!

[@robertvysther833]

Good reporting. It is about the same info I gathered on other sites through the war. The money is one of the big factors.

[@jamesboekbinder3967]

Thanks for the report.

[@dubsar]

What motivates Russian men to fight in Ukraine? Poverty. Debt.

[@terjeoseberg990]

Poverty and debt created by Putin so that he can use it to motivate Russian men. Because of this, a western army is significantly more expensive than a Russian one. Imagine Putin has $300 billion saved up from the last 20 years of stealing the wealth of Russia, and each Russian soldier costs $2,000/month. Putin can afford 1 million soldiers for 150 months. That’s over 11 years. This is because Putin has kept most of Russia in poverty. Weapons manufacturing in Russia is also extremely cheap for exactly the same reason. Labor is cheaper. The minimum wage in Russia is $162/month. In the United States, someone earning minimum wage makes $162 in one and half days. In Brazil the minimum wage is $250/month. The extreme poverty of the Russian population is an advantage for Putin. Fortunately advanced Russian technology is a fantasy. A myth that’s been debunked by Ukraine.

[@fallingphoenix2341]

Patriotism and martial honor are not the preserve of the well-off, nor are they only for citizens of democratic countries. There are millions who have fought and hundreds of thousands who have died in Putins war. They weren't all bad people and they weren't all too poor to make moral judgements.

[@MikeBrown-dk7or]

Yes, but do they ever get paid?

[@terjeoseberg990]

@@MikeBrown-dk7or, Not if they’re killed.

[@fallingphoenix2341]

@@terjeoseberg990 there's supposed to be widow's benefits

[@rickmcgee649]

Thanks for keeping your videos short and to the point.

[@shermoore1693]

Thanks for these posts. They are very interesting. And. your English is perfect!

[@metalrock2112]

Finally a Ukrainian news channel that has a excellent English speaking reporter. 👍🏻

[@MikeBrown-dk7or]

And she has a very appropriate plaid shirt style.

[@randybull01]

She speaks with a USA accent. Maybe she went to college or something in the USA?

[@martijnstam6186]

And she looks handsome. Most Ukrainians are very well educated in contrary to the pariah terrorist state Pukin created.

[@robturvey9156]

Excellent report. Straight to the point without any waffle.

[@graceperry2623]

Thank you Anya for putting that together it made interesting listening. You have passed on information coming from the 'horses mouths', as we say. Although, I doubt Ukrainians would call them horses, that would be too kind!

[@yvonnetomenga5726]

@KyivPost • I liked the format of this report. Hearing your journalist recap all the reasons was much faster than listening to individual POWs. Listing the reasons together makes it easier to get an overview of the Russian military. Thanks! 👍 Slava Ukraini. Heroyam Slava. 💪🇺🇦🕊🌻

[@randybegon3191]

excellent report thank you

[@alfonsasgrinevicius7477]

It is quite nifty to get certain news in brief. Ukraine's war is OUR war, pals. The sense of solidarity ought to prevail in all our NATO and EU..Despite certain convulsions of Hungary's Orban or some other smaller Orc-vassals. Cordial greetings from Lietuva , Kaunas.

[@green-user8348]

Those were great questions. Incredibly sad to hear what he said. I am not sure there are any different questions I would ask, maybe I would interview more captured soldiers so get a larger information pool, but that's all. Well done video, as usual.

[@timsecord8207]

Another example of an incredibly beautiful Ukrainian woman!

[@rc666]

You are very good in what you do. Keep it up. And it doens't hurt my eyes, looking at you.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

....😅...

[@user-vf8re3rx6t]

Its my first time to watch Anna's informative video. I LOVE IT !! 🎉🎉🎉

[@mryouben]

Your resistance is an inspiration for us

[@donlovato2067]

Very Interesting Topics & Quality Journalism. More Personal stories & facts about the Evil Putin should be announced to the Civilized world 🌎 for Condemnation .

[@willarddevoe5893]

Clarity is important. Bravo

[@beakhammer2638]

Interesting report. Thanks from Ireland.

[@zoltankoves]

Good work, thank you. Subscribed.

[@redhen2123]

Just checked the Wikipedia entry for "penal battalion" and Russia and their "Storm-Z" units are the only ones still active in the modern world. What's next, Moscow Militia and pitch-forks?

[@nerdyali4154]

Seems that what's next is Ukrainian POW units.

[@yannparis7501]

2:41 ... a king you say ? Well in France we have a local tradition to deal with such guys.. might be usefull. That said, we get a deep look inside russia's way of recruting.. you should probably publicize this interviews the most possible. At some point truth can't be denied..

[@mikeklein4949]

Thank you Anya.

[@madamemarmot]

Very informative video. Slava Ukraini.

[@grisall]

Where can I buy a Kyiv Post coffee mug?

[@user-nj1pu9qv8v]

Good Question i also want to buy one

[@johnconnery1939]

Thoughtful presentation. Thank you.

[@richardmigneault7460]

I subscribed. I liked your presentation. You've really worked on your accent or you learned from an english speaker, any way I could follow your preso and thought it was professionally done. good info and succent. Thanks I look forward to hearing more from you,

[@jaybales3160]

Thank you for the interview overview.

[@johntait491]

A good video Anya. Thank you. 👍

[@vedagower-my5wy]

Great report! Glory to Ukraine!🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

[@Numbatwombat]

I would ask what level of education they have attained. Also they can offer attractive contracts because most will not live to see the benefits and if they are killed do they know that their bodies will most likely not be returned to where they came from. That they will be listed as missing and their next of kin will not receive any death benefits. regards Wally

[@slimdifference08]

Thanks for staying on this beat.

[@sdragut]

in relation to what I'd ask a Russian soldier . that's easy. considering he's a prisoner who doesn't want to go back i'd ask him if he's willing to warn his family, his friends & his fellow countrymen about the truth of everything and set up a support team of like minded prisoners as a think tank to create ways to reach his countrymen spreading the truth in such a way to dezombify them and make them stand against Putin using videos, msm, even direct phone calls. if Ukraine has 17,000 prisoners that's a powerful propaganda army against Putin and his cronies. if the people know the truth of what Putin is doing he will loose grassroots support which will in time spill over into less conscripts & eventual rebellion & civil war

[@AzogDefilerFromMordor]

Russian would simply say they were forced by UA to say that. If you strongly believe something like lets say Putin is great, Russia is great, Ukraine is bad and somebody tells you the opposite, mind fights that and its easier to find an excuse than change mind. This requires long time I think and it shouldhave been done years ago until this day.

[@ohdearearthlings1879]

Ukrainian families have stopped talking to their Russian based family members, who support Putin. Most of us will have extremely thick family members of our own, so this will come as no surprise.

[@tashuntka]

Decades.......it will take decades. That's from the moment of committed ability to deprogram begins in ernest..

[@sdragut]

@@tashuntka. not really. mental programming may take decades to create, however deprogramming can take mere minutes or hrs when faced with the prospect of the certainty of death. self preservation is the strongest human organism preventing oneself from being harmed or killed. It's considered the mot powerful basic instinct in most organisms. If family realize that supporting Putin caries the certainty of death it activates the self preservation instinct which even hypnosis has no power against it.

[@sking3492]

​@@AzogDefilerFromMordorAlso have to consider in the Ukrainians that have family in Russia have to tow the party line - or else - , phone calls would be monitored for any hint of treasonous talk. You can think it, but don't say it

[@twintwitch1]

Great report, just facts. Thank you.

[@wealthbuilder59]

Subscribed so I can see your beautiful being again ! Glory to Ukraine

[@dank1518]

Nice summary of hundreds of hours of POW interviews.

[@user-io9ie5cs8j]

Interesting news video. I'm so sorry about your being invaded by Russia. Again. Do Not surrender your country, but take advantage of any halts in fighting! Godspeed

[@user-hg2tk3xj9y]

Praying for Ukraine.

[@JackAstor365]

always a pleasure to listen to you, although I would rather you speak about something more joyful, but unfortunately there is no one brave enough in Russia to dispose of Putin.

[@adequatedrainage6380]

It must be tempting for Ukrainians to ask these prisoners if they want to fight against Putin.

[@darrencorrigan8505]

Thanks, KyivPost.

[@harrybarrow6222]

Ukraine should allow prisoners to make a phone call to their family (I am pretty sure they do that already.) Let them say how they were treated by Ukraine. The word will spread that Ukraine treats its prisoners much better than Russia treats its own troops. That should encourage others to surrender under the “I want to live” scheme.

[@Phamacy94]

Good reporter!

[@patrickjcarangelo587]

Great job on your report and information, it's factual information for everyone to see. God Bless Your Great Success 🙏♥️🙂.

[@tashuntka]

Awesome show Anya...👍🏻✨️✨️✨️👍🏻 I would like to ask them "Would you consider applying for asylum to stay in Ukraine ? If that was even an.option ." More Anya shows please 🙏 🫠🫠🫠

[@oneanywhere8561]

Ukrainian authorities do offer this option to POWs. They must officially declare their rejection of swapping, and as of now, they can stay in a Ukrainian POW camp until the end of the war.

[@paulosaraiva1002]

thank u!

[@DickBal]

Thanks for the report !

[@hazydreamer7965]

Hello. An interesting video. They are fighting for money. Learning about Russian salaries I no longer wonder, why larger salaries will be so fascinating they are ready to risk their own lives. The hope of speedy freedom from prison can be a very inviting thought, - provided the Russians will let them actually return home. I doubt it. - Out of interest, I was figuring out what I would do if I were a Russian, who is offered a fake job as a border guard or is openly forced to go to fight. I firmly believe the best and the only choice would be getting in touch with the "I want to live " line, going to Ukraine, and trying my luck to let the Ukrainian Armed Forces pick me up. They could give me new ID papers and a new life someplace else. Not many of us get a well-organized plan B, the chance to begin a new life. Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦

[@matthewmorgan9269]

The Dirty Fifty Dozen, Russia's sequel to the 1967 classic movie. I would ask a Russian prisoner/soldier if he'd ever heard of Telly Savalas.

[@jpo1056]

Sorry if anyone is offended (not really)but Anya is drop dead beautiful.

[@Glenn-F-Rice]

If she likes to go fishing she is a keeper

[@malk1275]

💙💛 Freedom From Scotland💙💛 Slava Ukraine⬜🟦⬜🟦🔱⚔⚖💙💛

[@gaywizard2000]

New subscriber in Canada 🇨🇦. Anya you are beautiful and this information is important! Everything is about Israel now, so we need other news.

[@user-xv2xn8sf9c]

Very sad for them

[@williamburns9731]

I've been watching Zolkin Volodymyr from day one of the war, interviewing Russian prisoners, hundreds off them .

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Lest we forget...Remembrance Sunday for the UK and Commonwealth...will be there with Mrs. C....😢

[@oneanywhere8561]

Lovely English. The presentation is, as usually, right on the money. Thanks!

[@kyiv_post]

Thank you😊

[@oneanywhere8561]

@@kyiv_post There is a phrase at 3:31 -- "It is all a painting." What does it mean? Feel free to reply in English, Russian, or Ukrainian. Thanks!

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@kyiv_postactually, you speak better English than many around here....😅😅😅

[@oneanywhere8561]

@@eamonnclabby7067 I dare guess that she probably lived in the USA for quite some time.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@oneanywhere8561....😅😅😅.....divided by a common language...E...❤❤

[@user-po1mj3fi5d]

I think you are awesome!

[@rosslloyd2082]

Great

[@hardtackbeans9790]

There have been many POW interviews. But they have to be careful what they say. The FSB does keep track. Many in off camera questioning do confirm what your analysis is. It is very dystopian to hear them almost recited propaganda by many but reverse that off camera.

[@kurtwicklund8901]

I apologize for being superficial but what a beauty.

[@billwhite1603]

Early in the war I subscribed to Zolkin? or something like that. But they want to show 45 minute to two hour long boring videos instead of editing them. So thanks for this update.

[@WingRyanWing]

You can ask the POWS (you asked in the video) if they are aware that Russia threatened the European continent with nuclear extinction. And if they are aware about that those are 500 mil. people. And that Putin declared war on the entire continent. And if they do know that Irish, English, French, Spanish etc. can see what they are doing & how this looks for those "to be conquered/extinct" Belgians (f.e.).

[@user-yi7mv1nc9q]

Any Russian that has lost a loved one in the war do not be sad, rejoice, for your lived one got justice.

[@johnbridges6867]

Take Good care Anya and thoughts and prayers are with you and Ukraine. There is A powerful song for ALL Ukrainians! Please WATCH and LISTEN to the words. KZbin. LIVE NEIL FINN. Song is… Don’t Dream it’s Over. That song is YOU UKRAINE! The Best for Putin and the Kremlin INSTANT SUNSHINE! 🙏🏻👍. Stay Well Safe Warm and God Protect Guide and grant All your prayers and needs and FULL VICTORY TO UKRAIN OVER THE COWARD ENEMY. UKRAIN WILL WIN. MIGHTY FORCES ARE WITH YOU. STAY MIGHTY STRONG! SLAVA UKRAIN. JB. UK. 🙏🏻👍❤️🇺🇦🇬🇧🇺🇸✌️

[@thePronto]

Shocker. You should offer the PoWs a chance to stay in Ukraine to help clean up the mess they made.

[@oneanywhere8561]

Ukrainian authorities do offer this option to POWs.

[@brucewilliams2106]

where is the video link to the interview? should be a link

[@inukrieger5206]

but i also see videos on youtube where POW get intervied and one video they said there are units that are out there with mobile furnaces to burn bodies no body no money, and often the zink coffins are empty when to are open back in Russia. I'm asking me often where all this should end or where this leads.

[@albifreedom9725]

Wait, what? The last time I checked is 2200 rubles is only about $24.00 USD. Did she mean to say 200,200.00 rubles.

[@ArgelTal_]

they said 204000 rubles and that would be around 2200$.

[@johnmayger2265]

Bye Anya. You have great english

[@eamonnclabby7067]

This does confirm kur thoughts on this thanks for sharing this with us all , best wishes from Merseyside aka Ukraine on the river mersey post Eurovision...E...😊😊

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Typo...our thoughts...😅😅...

[@tommyhaakansson5881]

You are fantastik, i lov the Way you are takling

[@Earthstein]

good.

[@naakatube]

❤❤❤

[@bluvd4u]

Thanks for your great information. How sad for the enslaved Russian people.

[@tonymckeage1028]

wow that's scary! It does explain why the Russian Army has been largely ineffective and disorganised! My question for the POWs would be How do we bring this "war" to a conclusion?

[@martinawrensch6527]

❤❤❤❤

[@user-lr6qp8ti4q]

I 100% support France and it's troops. We've asked too much from Ukraine. It's time for FREE world to stop Putin. Especially when Russia military has reach it's weakest point. Ukraine has really done a GREAt job on them. Russia lost 435,000 troops. Recently lost 15 aircraft.. France has strong well train military with top notch fighter jets.

[@damiankolodiy6329]

I always wondered why do these guys keep coming over to fight in Ukrainae, don't they know what they are getting into and how horrible Russian soldiers are treated by their own commanders? I guess it really is a society of slaves. Insightful to hear the reasons in more detail.

[@SolaceEasy]

Did you interview one POW or two? All references are to one POW.

[@kyiv_post]

We interviewed two POWs, Sergei and Victor.

[@SolaceEasy]

​@@kyiv_postAgain, all references are to one POW.

[@oneanywhere8561]

There are hundreds of interviews with POWs on "Volodymyr Zolkin" channel. Alas, they are all in Russian. No autotranslation is available. If I recall correctly, there is another channel where some of those interviews are at least partially translated into English. I cannot call the channel's name to mind.

[@kyiv_post]

At 2:48 we reference Victor.

[@oneanywhere8561]

I found the channel having translated to English POW's interviews. Its name is "Zolkin Volodymyr".

[@thepaperboy9009]

7.5 year sentence for murder. Seems low, maybe that's also part of the underlying problem. A lot of violent crimes and people are let loose after 7.5 years. In most western nations this is much longer, perhaps even a life sentence. Again, I don't have any details, but even unintentional manslaughter can be 17 years +

[@GiveMeaFuckingBreakDude]

So many gorgeous Ukrainian women everywhere. Lord have mercy ❤❤❤

[@neeleynonea]

If the Russian soldiers don't want to go back to Russia, where do they want to go?