Captured Ukrainian-born soldiers tell BBC why they fought for Russia
The article features interviews with Ukrainian-born prisoners of war who chose to fight for Russia. It explores their motivations, including ideological alignment with Moscow and the influence of the ongoing conflict in the Donbas region.
Why it matters
It provides rare insight into the complex human dynamics and divided loyalties within the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Image caption, Many of the soldiers were born in Ukraine but consider themselves to be Russian
In Western Ukraine, behind high walls and layers of locked gates, there is a camp full of men captured fighting for Russia.
Many of those crouching in the shade around the edges of the prison yard were recruited from big cities like St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, not far-flung and poorer regions like at the start of the full-scale invasion.
Amongst them are soldiers from Ukraine itself: the men who went to war with their own country.
Interviewing prisoners of war is not straightforward: to be sure they are not being coerced, first and foremost, and then to assess how openly they are speaking in the circumstances.
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