Kathrine Frich
It was noticed not by troops on foot, but by a drone.
Desperate circumstances can force impossible choices.
On Ukraine’s eastern front, one Russian soldier appears to have reached that point, confronting the reality of war in a way few expect.
A desperate signal
According to Ukraine’s UNIAN news agency, the incident took place in the Kharkiv Oblast, where Ukrainian forces were monitoring abandoned buildings near the front line.
Drone operators from the Ukrainian “Wola” battalion noticed cardboard boxes placed in the windows of a deserted house.
Written across them was a clear plea: “Please take me prisoner, I want to live . “
The message indicated that a Russian soldier was hiding inside and seeking to surrender.
Seen from above
The unusual sight was first detected during routine aerial reconnaissance.
Ukrainian drone operators realised the inscription was intentional and aimed directly at them.
After confirming the situation, the unit relayed the information up the chain of command.
Ukrainian forces then decided to proceed with a controlled surrender rather than treat the location as a combat target.
UNIAN reported that the soldier remained inside the building while awaiting further instructions.
Careful capture
Ukrainian troops provided the Russian soldier with step-by-step instructions to ensure a safe detention.
The operation was later carried out by the “Shkval” special unit of Ukraine’s 57th Mechanized Brigade.
The soldier was taken into custody without resistance. Ukrainian sources said no shots were fired during the operation.
The incident was described as a rare but telling moment amid continued fighting in the region.
A broader pattern
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 10,000 Russian military personnel have surrendered, according to figures cited by UNIAN.
The data includes not only regular Russian troops but also a significant number of foreign mercenaries.
The highest number of surrenders has been recorded in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, where fighting has been particularly intense.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said such cases reflect declining morale among some Russian units.
Sources: UNIAN, WP
