As Vladimir Putin’s brutality against the people of Ukraine continues, individual stories of human suffering continue to emerge — including from captured Russian fighters. Here are two of them.

Russian National Guard Lt. Col. Astakhov Dmitry Mikhailovich, who was captured along with two other soldiers, as reported by The New York Post, told Ukrainian authorities they were told they were being sent to help Ukraine because it was “dominated by a fascist regime” and that “nationalists and Nazis had seized power.” “Obviously, this information was unilateral information,” Mikhailovich told reporters.

I feel shame that we came to this country. I don’t know why we were doing it. We knew very little. We brought sorrow to this land.

Given the world in which Mikhailovich and most Russians exist, it’s reasonable to assume he’s not only bewildered but also that he’s speaking truth to terrible power, in my not-so-humble opinion. And while it is also reasonable to question the voluntary nature of his statements, Mikhailovich assured reporters that he was speaking freely.

This, out of #Ukraine, is 100% one of the most incredible videos I have ever seen.

This Russian POW has the heart of a lion 🦁 pic.twitter.com/KIx1rsN0CZ

— Jackie Singh 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 (@hackingbutlegal) March 6, 2022

“I cannot find the words to say sorry to the Ukrainian people,” Mikhailovich said, adding he would understand if Russia was never forgiven, as he also urged Ukraine to let Russian troops live.

Many of them are just embarrassed. They do not want war. I just sincerely hope for your mercy toward those people who come to you with their hands up, or those who are wounded. We should not sow death — it’s better to sow life.

The captured commander explained the horror of war from the incredible perspective of a reluctant warrior opposed to the atrocities he and his equally reluctant comrades have committed — and continue to commit.

You are in a tense situation, going against your own commander. But this is genocide. Russia cannot win here anyway. Even if we go until the very end. We can invade the territory but we cannot invade the people.

Mikhailovich is not the only captured Russian fighter speaking out against Putin’s brutal invasion. As reported by Daily Mail on Friday, an unidentified soldier not only graphically described atrocities committed against Ukrainian civilians; he pleaded with his family in Russia not to believe government propaganda.

What is happening here is all Russia’s fault. Neither Ukraine nor anyone else. They [Russian troops are] killing people — civilians. Babies are being murdered. We’re the aggressor, we’re the destroyers. So, as they say, we’re the cannon meat.

The fighter said 8,000 to 10,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the invasion began, a claim disputed by Moscow in contesting figures last Wednesday.

In a caption accompanying the video, noted Daily Mail, the Ukrainian Security Service wrote:

The tanker-aggressor begs his relatives not to trust a single word that is heard on Russian television because the Kremlin authorities are deliberately brainwashing with lies.

The occupier admits that Russia is the aggressor, their troops are beating civilians and killing children. At the same time, he says that for him, captivity is ‘the only chance for survival.

He will live, but will not go unpunished! Let’s win together!

As horrific as accounts like this are to read — and write — the true horror is these are but two examples of the breadth and depravity of Vladimir Putin’s black-hearted genocide against the population of a fledgling democracy that poses zero threat to the Russian bear.

Tucker Carlson ridiculously labeling Ukraine a “tyranny” notwithstanding.

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