'We prayed for rain just to drink from puddles': Russian POW exposes grim reality in Putin's army
global.espreso.tv
Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:36:00 +0200

The corresponding video was published on the brigade's page."A striking story from a Russian soldier, whom fighters of the 63rd Brigade captured near Lyman, about the brutal conditions in their army. He blew off his own leg twice (!) to avoid going on assault missions. Russians, don't mutilate yourselves—it's better to surrender. We'll warm you up, feed you, give you a smoke, and you'll return home in one piece. What's the point of earning money in war if you're going to die?" reads the caption accompanying the video.In the video, the Russian soldier talks about dehydration, lack of basic necessities, and fear of assault missions that forced soldiers to seek any way to avoid being sent to the front lines.Ukraine's 63rd Separate Mechanized BrigadeThe 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade is a mechanized forces unit of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.It was created after the start of the 2014 Russian-Ukrainian war as a cadre military unit of the Reserve Corps. After the 2022 Russian invasion, it was mobilized. In autumn 2022, it fought in the Kherson direction, and in winter—near Bakhmut. In spring 2023, it fought near Kreminna. The brigade is stationed in the Khmelnytskyi region.On December 6, 2023, the President of Ukraine presented the brigade with a battle flag. On December 11, 2024, the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade was awarded the honorary distinction For Courage and Bravery by decree of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.








