Kathrine Frich
The exchange, filmed by Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Karpenko, left even the interviewer surprised.
For decades, families of soldiers have been portrayed as the emotional anchor behind Russia’s military tradition.
But the war in Ukraine has exposed fractures that reach far into private life.
A recent recorded call between a captured Russian soldier and his relatives shows how deep those divides can run.
A call home
Ukrainian reporters allow captured Russian soldiers to phone family members as part of on-camera interviews.
These moments often reveal unexpected reactions, and this episode was no exception.
The prisoner, a 19-year-old who grew up in an orphanage. He told Karpenko that he had a living mother who once, while drunk, tried to burn him in a furnace. He added that he had three brothers and two sisters.
During the discussion, the team attempted to call his sister, Katerina.
The soldier hoped she could approach the Conscription Office to ensure he was entered into the official lists of Russian prisoners of war.
Refusal to speak
According to the media account, the call failed immediately.
Instead of Katerina, a male friend answered and refused to hand over the phone, saying he did not understand why she should talk to a brother being held by the “enemy.”
For several minutes, the journalist tried to persuade him to let the prisoner speak with her.
Karpenko, who has been interviewing captives for three years, reacted sharply.
“It’s wild. Among 1,500 prisoners, nothing like this has ever been seen before. If a brother says, give the phone to your sister, some strange guy answers: ‘I won’t!’ Are you really Russian […]? Are you even normal? If your brother or sister were somewhere in captivity, wouldn’t you want to talk to them?” he shouted.
Disbelief on both sides
The man on the phone expressed his own astonishment over the fact that Ukrainians were allowing the prisoner to call at all.
“So he shot at you yesterday, and today you’re worried that he can’t talk to his sister?” he replied, laughing.
A woman’s laughter could be heard in the background. The captive confirmed it was his sister.
After the journalist ended the call, the soldier admitted he was “shocked” by his relatives’ reaction.
Sources: LA.LV, @dmytrokarpenko
