More than 300 Russian soldiers have surrendered to Ukraine through Kyiv’s “I Want to Live” initiative since 2022. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine public relations head, Andriy Yusov, shared the news in a live telecast, highlighting the impact of the government-led hotline. Yusov also noted the increase in mostly active-duty Russian troops volunteering to support Ukraine’s defense force. He mentioned that some surrendered soldiers have expressed their desire not to be exchanged and even to join the security and defense forces.
The “I Want to Live” program is a joint initiative launched with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War to ensure the safe surrender of Moscow’s servicemen to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukraine has offered rewards to soldiers willing to defect from Russia in an effort to counter the country’s advances in the ongoing war. Last year, a Russian soldier piloting an Mi-8 helicopter was rewarded $500,000 after changing sides and handing over a helicopter loaded with spare parts for Russian fighter jets. Yusov describes the reward as a move to encourage those who do not want to become war criminals to defend their own honor and conscience.
