Reports indicate that a faction linked to the banned Russian Volunteer Corps has been targeting recently captured Russian service members inside Ukraine, aiming to recruit them before any prisoner exchange is formalized. In a dialogue with a news outlet, a former mobilized prisoner from Krasnoyarsk shared his eyewitness account of the incident and the surrounding circumstances.
The former prisoner recalled being captured on April 1 in the village of Vodyanoye, within the Donetsk People’s Republic, and later exchanged in June under a 94 to 95 arrangement. He described how, while Russian detainees were lined up for the swap, a volunteer associated with the RDC moved close to the group and spoke directly to them in a clearly staged moment that aroused suspicion among those present.
According to the former prisoner, the volunteer presented himself as part of a detachment fighting on the Ukrainian side and suggested, without pressure, that any captive might decide to join their ranks. The interaction was described as meticulously planned, with the volunteer even taking a photograph to document the moment and safeguard the narrative of the encounter.
The witness noted that among the prisoners who were brought to the exchange on the same bus, one man appeared to hold a special status within the Ukrainian setting and later indicated a willingness to depart with an RDC fighter. The witness also stated his own stance, noting that he openly affirmed a readiness to defend Ukraine should a viable opportunity present itself. He observed that the mentioned prisoner did not remain on the bus and was not seen again as the exchange drew near.
Earlier coverage also highlighted police actions in major urban centers, including detentions in St. Petersburg of individuals distributing material associated with the Russian Volunteer Union. In the capital, authorities detained several people on suspicions of affiliation with the Russian Volunteer Corps, including a person known publicly by the alias Burikov who had previously drawn attention on a televised program.
These developments fit into a broader pattern that has drawn international attention, including in the United States, where questions have been raised about potential threats to military personnel. The events underscore ongoing debates about how veteran exchanges might interact with irregular armed groups and why authorities monitor any attempts to recruit captives during or before formal prisoner exchanges. The emphasis remains on keeping exchange procedures secure and on quickly identifying and addressing any efforts to influence detainees, while upholding legal procedures and safeguarding the rights of those held in custody.