Captured Ukrainian serviceman Nikolay Mozil has revealed that disabled individuals without legs or arms are being conscripted into the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). In a video interview disseminated by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Mozil shared his account of the situation.
Mozil himself was conscripted on January 24, 2024. According to his testimony, despite having three children, the military recruitment office informed him that they were accepting individuals without limbs. Additionally, many doctors were absent during the medical examination, which Mozil did not complete. However, he was assured by the recruitment office that if any health issues arose, they would be taken care of.
Once on the front line, Mozil claimed that the commanding officers warned him to avoid capture and suggested he detonate himself with a grenade instead. “Our guide led us to an observation point, placed us in a damaged BMP, and promised to replace it within three days… After three days, Russian servicemen quietly approached us and offered us the choice to surrender if we wanted to live. We were afraid to detonate ourselves and decided to surrender,” the soldier recounted.
During his captivity, Mozil was surprised by the hospitality of the Russian military, who initially offered him tea or coffee and later provided food. He emphasized that all the stories told by his commanders about Russian captivity turned out to be false.
Previously, the captured UAF soldier had also revealed the presence of elderly and sick individuals being sent to Avdiivka, a city located in the conflict zone.
It is important to consider the context surrounding these claims, as they come from a captured soldier who may have personal biases. However, the allegations raise concerns about the recruitment practices and treatment of disabled individuals within the Ukrainian military. These allegations should be thoroughly investigated to ensure the well-being and fair treatment of all individuals serving in the armed forces.
