Captured Russian conscripts say their forces are being decimated by Ukraine and regularly run out of food as they apologise for attacking the country 'like fascists'

 Russian conscripts who were captured by Ukrainian forces say they were deceived into believing the war was a military training exercise and have apologised for attacking Ukraine 'like fascists'.

The five Russian captives, who were all called up for military service in June 2021, spoke at a media briefing at the Ukraine Media Centre in Kyiv, where they told of their shame for the invasion of Ukraine.One told of how his battalion ran out of food and their equipment kept breaking just a few days into the Russian invasion, leaving them with only six tanks out of the 30 they started with.

Aleksandr Morozov, 22, from Moscow, who was called up for military service in June last year, and is a private first class - part of the basic workforce strength in the Russian Army as a junior soldier transitioning up the ranks. 

He said that soldiers were deceived into believing they were doing drills in fields of Russian territory, where they were given rations which were expired for years.

'When we entered the territory of Ukraine, we reached the town of Romny, our task was to set up a checkpoint and just inspect the vehicles… We were taken prisoner near the city of Sumy,' Mr Morozov explained.

'I thought that we would be beaten, humiliated, given no food or water in captivity. As a result, it turned out the opposite: we were given food, water, we had a place to sleep, we were given warm clothes.'

Russian conscripts who were captured by Ukrainian forces say they were deceived into believing the war was a military training exercise and have apologised for attacking Ukraine 'like fascists' (pictured, Aleksandr Morozov, 22, from Moscow, who was called up for military service in June last year)

Nikolai Polshchykov, 21, pictured, said after two months of service in his regiment, troops were sent to drills in Kursk and Belgorod, explaining that by the end of the exercises, their military equipment was marked with the letter Z and was prepared for combat operations

The 22-year-old told of how their equipment was continually breaking down as they drove towards Romny.  

'Ukrainians are a strong people, they fight like beasts, Mr Morozov said. 'Their aircraft shatters our columns utterly. Our side suffers great losses: technicians, sergeants, officers, soldiers. And we want to stop that. 

'I want to apologize to the whole of Ukraine for coming here. I do not want violence in this country. I am very ashamed.'

He added that Vladimir Putin is 'lying' for telling the world that there are no conscripts taking part in the 'military operation'.   

Nikolai Polshchykov, 21, who is also a private first class for the Russian military, who lives in Ryazan, western Russia, said after just two months of service in his regiment, the troops were sent to drills in Kursk and Belgorod, and like Mr Morozov, also found himself near the town of Romny.

Captive Russian conscripts pictured, from left to right: Nikolai Polshchikov, Niyaz Akhunov, Aleksandr Morozov, Anton Savin and Andrey Pozdeev. The captives, who were all called up for military service in June 2021, spoke at a media briefing at the Ukraine Media Centre in Kyiv, where they told of their shame for the invasion of Ukraine

Anton Savin, 20, from Solikamsk, Perm Krai in western Russia, said that his tank regiment was also sent to the exercises, only to be deprived of their phones. They were then told they were to 'go to Ukraine to carry out a combat mission to capture the city of Kyiv and to free the civilian population of Ukraine from the so-called Bandera followers and neo-Nazis'

He explained that by the end of the exercises, their military equipment was marked with the letter Z and was being prepared for combat operations.

Pro-Putin politicians, activists, and influencers have been spotted wearing clothes and badges with the letter 'Z' on to show their support for the invasion of Ukraine and has been seen on Russian tanks and military vehicles coming into Ukraine, becoming a symbol of the invasion.

'I want to appeal to the citizens of my country, to parents whose sons are serving and whose children are going to serve.

'Do not send them here because very terrible things are happening here you are unaware of… Here the Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to protect their country. We broke into their house like fascists. 

'Not knowing the purpose, tasks. We are just being killed. Our aircraft and artillery bomb peaceful cities. I apologize to the people of Ukraine for breaking into your house. 

Siberian-born Andrey Pozdeyev, who lives in Irkutsk, 19, recalled the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, before which they were told, "Don't be afraid, no-one will take you to Ukraine" - instead believing they were conducting a training march through Russia

'We came under fire, I was wounded and I saw many people killed, many wounded. There were more than 150 conscripts in my battalion.'

According to Mr Polshchykov, he said there were people who were buying their way out of taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine by bribing their commanders to stay in Russia. 

He added that the 'only thing' he believes he may die from if he continued as a Russian soldier in the invasion is the strikes of Russian planes. 

Anton Savin, 20, from Solikamsk, Perm Krai in western Russia, said that his tank regiment was also sent to the exercises, only to be deprived of their phones.

They were then told they were to 'go to Ukraine to carry out a combat mission to capture the city of Kyiv and to free the civilian population of Ukraine from the so-called Bandera followers and neo-Nazis,' Mr Salvin said.

He added that they would receive a 'monetary reward' after the operation was complete. 

'We did not have the opportunity to escape from there, we were put in tanks… And on the morning of February 24, we were already in the territory of Ukraine…' Mr Salvin said.

Niyaz Akhunov, 20, was another troop taken as prisoner by Ukrainian forces, which he said was 'scary' at first but they were all quickly given medicines, change of clothes and were treated well - he apologised to Ukrainian people for crossing the border and 'bombing your cities'

Nikolai Polshchikov said he wanted to appeal to the citizens of Russia to 'not send them here': 'Very terrible things are happening here you are unaware of… Here the Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to protect their country. We broke into their house like fascists'

'In a few days, we ran out of food. Our equipment was breaking on the way. There were only 6 tanks left from 30 and 2 armored personnel carriers.'

Niyaz Akhunov, 20, was another troop taken as prisoner by Ukrainian forces, which he said was 'scary' at first but they were all quickly given medicines, change of clothes and were treated well.

He said: 'This is a senseless war in which we were thrown – conscripts who have not seen real hostilities… I would like to apologize to all the Ukrainian people for crossing the border with Ukraine, coming with weapons to you, bombing your cities.'

Siberian-born Andrey Pozdeyev, who lives in Irkutsk, 19, recalled the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, before which they were told, "Don't be afraid, no-one will take you to Ukraine" - instead believing they were conducting a training march through Russia. 

Russian troops were ordered by President Putin to invade Ukraine on February 24, shelling and destroying infrastructure and destroying thousands of residential areas of Ukranian cities and towns using artillery and missiles. (Firefighters pictured in Kyiv extinguishing a 16-storey residential building on March 15)

'There was a morning line-up, and we were told: "For those who did not understand, you are in the territory of Ukraine". And all the statements by Vladimir Putin that there are no conscripts in his military operation are lies.'

Russian troops were ordered by President Putin to invade Ukraine on February 24, shelling and destroying infrastructure and destroying thousands of residential areas of Ukranian cities and towns using artillery and missiles.