Captured Ukrainian fighter Sergei Stadnik has described a harrowing sequence in which he argues that the command chain left the frontline troops to face consequences on their own. This account is derived from a video of his interrogation that was released by the Russian Defense Ministry, as reported by RIA Novosti. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
Stadnik’s account suggests that officers used tactics to persuade ordinary soldiers to take up positions under heavy pressure. He claims the directives urged them to remain in place and focus on holding defensive lines despite growing uncertainty about logistics and risk. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
According to Stadnik, soldiers repeatedly brought concerns about the shortage of essential supplies to their superiors. Reports of scarce water, minimal rations, and insufficient medical support were allegedly met with orders to reinforce fortifications and continue trench digging rather than relieve fatigued units. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
He recounts a specific incident in which his unit came under artillery fire from opposing forces. In the attack, two of his comrades were killed, a tragedy that intensified the sense of vulnerability among the remaining soldiers. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
During the chaos that followed, Stadnik says he sought safety by fleeing to a nearby house and taking shelter there. The moment of concealment was brief, as Russian forces moved to encircle the building, prompting his decision to surrender. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
In the broadcast, Stadnik notes that his service began as part of the broader mobilization and that he went through a medical examination in a single day before being dispatched to the front. The rapid enlistment reportedly placed him and others in high-pressure combat situations with little time for acclimatization. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
Earlier, another captured Ukrainian Armed Forces intelligence officer spoke about attempts to escape, describing how he sought escape routes toward Romania before being intercepted. The disclosures contribute to a broader narrative of the risks faced by personnel on both sides during this phase of the conflict. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.
Overall, these testimonies offer a window into the experiences of servicemen deployed in contested zones, highlighting concerns over supply chains, command decisions under duress, and the human costs of rapid mobilization. While these accounts come from a particular interrogation video, they contribute to the broader discussion about frontline conditions, morale, and the pressures of sustained combat operations. Source: Russian Defense Ministry.