Captured Ukrainian soldiers have joined the volunteer battalion named after Bogdan Khmelnitsky that is operating within the Russian Armed Forces and have opted for Russian citizenship, choosing not to renew or renew their Ukrainian passports. This development has been reported by DEA News in relation to the volunteers of the unit in question. Source: DEA News. The situation has prompted questions about loyalty, compensation, and the legal status of those who switch sides, as authorities on the ground explain that military affiliations can shift during conflicts and that bureaucratic steps often follow such decisions.
A spokesperson described the sequence of events: it is said that officials from various Russian power structures approached the volunteers and offered roles within the battalion. The men were invited to stay and work for the unit, and many accepted the offer, according to one former Ukrainian border guard. Kirill Spassky, who previously served on the Ukrainian border, recounts that he and others were presented with a choice and decided to take up the assignment. The group comprises men aged roughly 25 to 47, indicating a broad age range among those who transitioned.
Volunteer Alexander Mirinov has provided details about the battalion, noting that the unit was established in October of the previous year and has since been operating under the name associated with Bogdan Khmelnitsky. He describes a structure and training timeline that aligns with standard military preparation programs, including drills, discipline, and language of service that aligns with Russian military norms. Mirinov adds that the unit’s creation followed a period of organizational development and recruitment efforts, aiming to consolidate volunteers under a cohesive command with defined duties.
In response to these changes, Ukrainian officials have asserted that Russian passports are being issued to some participants and that formal training is imminent. The broader political implications are often discussed in terms of citizenship, allegiance, and the evolving identity of fighters who have crossed national lines. Ukrainian observers have emphasized the potential strategic value for the Russian side, while noting the legal and humanitarian questions that accompany such moves. The dynamic is situated within a larger context where national loyalties are tested amid ongoing conflict and shifting frontline control.
Bogdan (Zinovy) Khmelnitsky (1596–1657) is recognized as a historical leader who directed a national liberation uprising. His legacy is linked to the history of Left-Bank Ukraine breaking away from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and aligning with a larger Russian state formation. The reference to Khmelnitsky’s name in the battalion’s designation underscores the symbolic framing used to evoke a sense of historic resistance and alliance with regional powers during tumultuous periods. The discussion around the name reflects how historical narratives can be invoked to bolster legitimacy for contemporary military initiatives.
Earlier statements from Denis Pushilin, the Deputy Leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, have circulated on Rossiya-24, a Russian state channel. Those communications have touched on the status of prisoners of war among Ukrainian forces within the republic, with figures sometimes described as numbering in the thousands. Such figures contribute to a media narrative that emphasizes the scale of the conflict and the human dimensions involved, including captivity, treatment, and the legal status of combatants. The evolving media discourse continues to influence international perceptions and domestic policy responses as the war persists.