A Russian serviceman has surrendered to Ukrainian forces after pleading for his life directly to a drone operated by Ukraine’s Spartan Brigade in the Donetsk region. The event took place near the city of Pokrovsk, where intense combat continues as part of Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s ongoing full scale invasion.
The Russian soldier, whose identity has not been made public, reportedly approached the Ukrainian drone in distress after witnessing the deaths of his fellow soldiers in a targeted drone strike. Realising the drone belonged to Ukrainian forces, he signalled for mercy and followed instructions given by the drone operators. Ukrainian sources confirmed the soldier was guided to a safe location and taken into custody without incident.
In statements made after his capture, the Russian soldier claimed he deeply regretted joining the war, stating it was a mistake. He admitted that his comrades had been killed in a drone attack and said he no longer wished to participate in the Kremlin’s war of aggression. The soldier expressed a desire to atone for his actions by laying down his arms and cooperating with Ukrainian authorities.
The moment adds to a growing number of documented cases in which Russian troops have either fled or surrendered after coming under sustained pressure from Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian military analysts say that as morale within the Russian army continues to collapse, more soldiers are beginning to see surrender as the only route to survival.
The war in eastern Ukraine remains highly active, particularly in the Donetsk region, where Ukrainian drones and reconnaissance technologies are playing a major role in both defence and psychological operations. This event follows a pattern of similar surrenders, where demoralised Russian soldiers opt to abandon their posts rather than die in a war many now view as unwinnable.
The surrender took place during a Ukrainian drone operation that reportedly targeted a group of Russian soldiers in the occupied area.
