Many Russians, driven by financial need, joined the war in Ukraine, only to confront the harsh realities of combat. Among them is Lyosha, a 30-year-old marketing manager from Krasnodar, who initially enlisted to pay off debts.
“I needed the money,” Lyosha admitted, reflecting on his decision to go to the front.
Harsh Realities on the Front
Upon arrival, Lyosha was bullied by officers and traumatized by witnessing deaths. He soon considered deserting but feared returning home due to potential repercussions. His experience exposed him to extreme psychological and physical strain, reporting that officers would falsely claim territorial gains and shout at subordinates to maintain discipline.
By June, he was assigned to a command post for Russian drone operations in Dnipropetrovsk, trying to penetrate Ukrainian defenses. The constant pressure and violent environment left him disillusioned.
“Initially, I went to the war to settle debts. Thoughts about the purpose of this war barely crossed my mind. Over time, you simply exist,” he said.
Desertion and Escape
When contract soldiers’ pay was cut in May, Lyosha and others were forced to the front lines. With help from the charitable organization “Passage Through the Forest”, which assists Russian deserters, he managed to flee Ukraine.
Lyosha described witnessing atrocities firsthand, including seeing Ukrainian soldiers killed and civilians caught in artillery strikes. To cope, he sometimes imagined it as a video game, highlighting the trauma soldiers endure.
Money as Motivation
Over time, the Russian military increasingly recruited contract soldiers for large sums of cash, sometimes up to 5 million rubles (~£45,000), compared with an average monthly salary of 100,000 rubles. Despite the high pay, soldiers often face brutal conditions and harsh punishment if they refuse orders.
“Deserters are treated terribly. They’re thrown a sack over their heads and handcuffed,” Lyosha said. “I don’t want to return to Russia.”
Lost Faith in Leadership
Lyosha initially hoped that Donald Trump’s peace initiatives might influence the conflict. However, he quickly became disillusioned as negotiations faltered.
According to volunteers documenting Russian casualties, the first half of 2025 has been deadly for Russian troops, with the majority of soldiers now being paid contract fighters rather than mercenaries or conscripts.
