CNN —Ukrainian forces spared the life of a Russian soldier when he surrendered to a drone on the battlefield just moments before its operators were about to open fire, a Ukrainian commander has confirmed to CNN.
Following the surrender, reporters at the Wall Street Journal interviewed the Russian soldier at a detention facility in the Kharkiv region on May 19, under the supervision of a guard.
The reporters also spoke with the Ukrainian drone pilot, according to the paper, who said he decided to spare his life after watching his pleas.
“This is probably an unprecedented case when, through the coordinated work of the brigade and the aerial reconnaissance component, we managed to capture the occupier,” Ukrainian commander Fedorenko said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Russian soldier and former prison marshal was working as a liquor-store manager before he was drafted in September last year.
Persons:
Yuriy Fedorenko, Achilles ”, “, ” Fedorenko, ”, Fedorenko, Russian Wagner
Organizations:
CNN, Wall Street, 92nd Brigade, Wall Street Journal
Locations:
Russian, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Ukraine