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"I don't consider myself a Russian": captured occupier from Tuva begged not to be returned to Russia

Duration: 4:47 696 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Ukrainian forces have captured an individual named Anz Agash from Tuva who had joined Russian ranks primarily for financial gain but managed to flee after only three days of combat. The 80th Separate Galician Airborne Assault Brigade released footage and details regarding the prisoner, noting that he speaks very little Russian and explicitly stated during their conversation that he does not consider himself a citizen of Russia. Agash recounted his harrowing experience where, following an escape attempt from the front lines, he was imprisoned and coerced into signing another contract with the Russian army under duress; reports indicate he suffered physical beatings in prison before being transferred to Komar village in the Donetsk region, where he eventually ran out of food and water. During his captivity, Agash pleaded with Ukrainian soldiers not to include him in prisoner exchange lists because Russia would likely return him directly to active combat duties rather than allowing for a safe release or repatriation as an ordinary civilian. His background reveals limited education, having completed only the eighth grade before dropping out due to skipping classes and never acquiring basic literacy skills despite knowing his letters. This case highlights the desperate circumstances of many conscripts who are forced into fighting against their wills, often lacking even fundamental reading abilities or a sense of national identity with the aggressor state they serve. Beyond this individual story, Ukrainian defense forces have achieved complete dominance over the Kinburn Spit, forcing Russian occupiers into deep defensive positions while suffering from severe logistical failures. Commander Denis Nozdrakov explained that although no Ukrainian troops are physically stationed on every part of the peninsula at this moment, it remains entirely under their fire control as they conduct extensive artillery and air strikes against enemy positions. These sustained operations have disrupted Russian supply lines for ammunition, food, and fuel, leading to mass desertion among Russian units who attempt to flee but frequently fail due to mined logistics routes filled with anti-personnel explosives that trap them in a deadly kill zone. The situation on the Kinburn Peninsula has evolved into a complete strategic trap where the enemy army is retreating from northern and western sections deep into the peninsula, unable to sustain their operations without critical supplies. Ukrainian forces have reorganized certain assault companies as territorial control units focused on maintaining pressure rather than launching new offensives, effectively sealing off Russian positions with continuous strikes that exacerbate internal chaos within their ranks. As logistics routes are regularly mined and destroyed, many soldiers attempting to escape find themselves unable to break through the defenses, resulting in significant losses for the occupying forces while Ukrainian troops maintain full operational control over the area.

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Ukrainian troops captured an occupier named Anz Agash from Tuva, who went to fight for money, but escaped on the third day. The 80th Separate Galician Airborne Assault Brigade published a video of the conversation with the prisoner on its Telegram channel. The prisoner barely speaks Russian. He claimed that after escaping from the front, he was sent to prison, where he was again forced to sign a contract with the Russian army. Fighters from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade reported that the prisoner was beaten in prison and then sent to the village of Komar in the Donetsk region. There, the occupier held his position for several months, and then, when he ran out of food and water, he went in search of supplies and encountered Ukrainian fighters. During the conversation, the [music] occupier said he didn't consider himself Russian. He also begged the Ukrainian military not to include him in the exchange list, >> [music] >> as he said, "Russia would send him back to the front." Earlier, a 53-year-old Uzbek citizen who fought on the Russian side was captured by Ukrainian soldiers. He said he had never learned to read or write in his entire life. Dot, the prisoner said he only completed eighth grade. After that, he decided not to pursue an education. He said he knew his letters, but could neither read nor write. He added that he often skipped classes and never acquired basic literacy skills. Besides, the defense forces now completely dominate the Kinburn Spit, and the Russian occupiers are in deep defense. Denis Nozdrakov, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Odessa Operational Tactical Group, told Radio Liberty this. He noted that while there are no Ukrainian Defense Forces troops physically present on the Spit, the peninsula is under their complete fire control. [music] Currently, the 337th Separate assault regiment is primarily concentrated there. It's called an assault force only provisionally, as there's no talk of any assault whatsoever. In short, the defense forces are currently in complete control, while the enemy is in a deep [music] defense. For example, the assault companies of this regiment are now called CT units, [music] territorial control units, Nozhikov explained. In cooperation with other units, a series of artillery and air strikes were carried out on Russian positions on the spit. Logistics disruptions and losses forced the enemy army to retreat from the northern and western sections of the spit deep into the Kinburn Peninsula. Due to problems with ammunition, food, and fuel [music] supplies, Ukrainian troops are recording mass desertion and escape attempts from Russian positions. We can clearly hear and see all this chaos on the radio. Due to the regular mining of logistics routes, particularly with anti-personnel mines and explosives, [music] they don't always manage to escape. Therefore, for them, this is a complete trap, the commander emphasized. In cooperation with other units, a series of artillery and air strikes were carried out on Russian positions on the spit. Logistics disruptions and losses forced the enemy army to retreat from the northern and western sections of the spit deep into the Kinburn Peninsula. Due to problems with ammunition, food, and fuel supplies, Ukrainian troops are recording mass desertion and escape attempts from Russian positions. We can clearly hear and see all this chaos on the radio. Due to the regular mining of logistics routes, particularly with anti-personnel mines and explosives, they don't always manage to escape. Therefore, for them, this is a complete trap, the commander emphasized. In cooperation with other units, a series of artillery and air strikes were carried out on Russian positions on the spit. Logistics disruptions and losses forced the enemy army to retreat from the northern and western sections of the spit deep into the Kinburn Peninsula. Due to problems with ammunition, food, and fuel supplies, Ukrainian troops are recording mass desertion and escape attempts from Russian positions. We can clearly hear and see all this chaos on the radio. Due to the regular mining of logistics routes, particularly with anti-personnel mines and explosives, they don't always manage to escape. Therefore, for them, this is a complete trap, the commander emphasized. >> [music]