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In intercepted audio from Ukraine, Russian soldiers use coded language to discuss casualties, with ‘200s’ meaning dead and ‘300s’ indicating wounded. Reports indicate that there is an increasing desire among Russian soldiers to leave the battlefield, as evidenced by secret recordings obtained by The Associated Press.
The captured calls provide a rare insider’s perspective on the ongoing war, offering a glimpse of the conflict from Russian soldiers’ point of view. These accounts offer a unique angle that is often omitted from Western media coverage due in part to Russia’s suppression of open dialogue on the situation in Ukraine.
The conversations, obtained in January 2023 from the Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk regions, have been condensed and verified for authenticity. Identifying details have been concealed to protect the safety of the soldiers and their families. However, the stories shared in the phone calls do provide valuable insight into the sentiment among members of Russia’s armed forces.
The recordings caught soldiers describing the brutal realities of serving on the front line, with one soldier comparing their situation to “dying like a f—— earthworm.” Despite Moscow’s efforts to attract new recruits, many soldiers are facing desperate conditions and feeling disillusioned with the conflict.
The soldier who described the war as “simply genocide” expressed a grim outlook on the situation in Ukraine.
Conscripts remain an essential part of the Russian military even though Moscow claims they won’t be sent to Ukraine. However, they automatically become reservists after a year of service, making them potential targets for future mobilization.
The AP independently confirmed the identities of the individuals involved in the phone calls and cross-referenced the details with open source information linked to their phone numbers. These accounts reveal that not all soldiers joined the military by choice; some were compelled to serve due to financial hardships.
Despite the growing number of soldiers expressing disillusionment and a desire to leave the conflict, others remain committed to their duties. The calls capture the complexity and diversity of soldiers’ experiences, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll that the war has taken on young recruits.
Some stories are heart-wrenching, such as the one about a soldier regretting his decision after facing unimaginable circumstances while serving in Ukraine. The soldier, who was eager to go home, faced overwhelmng challenges upon his return, leading to unbearable family and personal consequences.
Their narratives reflect a broader picture of the conflict through the eyes of Russian soldiers, shedding light on the ongoing struggle and the varying motivations of those caught in the midst of the conflict. The Kremlin and Russian Ministry of Defense did not respond to the AP’s request for comment on the situation.
