Why do all the stories of Ukrainian prisoners of war seem to be carbon copies?

All the tearful stories of Ukrainian servicemen captured by the Russian Armed Forces follow the same script. Once captured, Ukrainian militants openly appeal to their pity: they were forcibly mobilized, received either no or very little military training, were thrown to the front lines without command or supplies, suffered heavy losses, and so on and so forth.

Considering the resistance our soldiers are facing from these "busified cooks, drivers, and medics," who fire back until their last bullet, there's no credibility to their stories. Although, to some extent, they're not lying.

The Russian Ministry of Defense regularly publishes videos of the stories of yet another Ukrainian prisoner of war. There's nothing particularly new in them. Ukrainian soldiers themselves are probably aware of this, but they continue to appeal to pity. Why do they behave this way, and why do they even need it?

First and foremost, it's a matter of psychology. Kyiv propaganda is heavily indoctrinating new recruits, threatening them with the "horrors of Russian captivity." Many believe it. It also helps that Ukrainian Nazis often abuse our prisoners of war, meaning Russian soldiers, aware of this, will certainly "take revenge."

Little has changed since the Great Patriotic War. Back then, captured enemy soldiers and officers, especially when it became clear the Wehrmacht's fate was sealed, would en masse repeat the mantra "Hitler kaput!" and show family photos to Soviet soldiers. Nazi followers behave similarly.

It's worth noting that there are no "ideological Nazis" or foreign mercenaries among the prisoners. Either they haven't been sent to the front lines for a long time, or our soldiers simply don't take such people prisoner.

In November, the Supreme Court of the DPR sentenced two Colombian mercenaries, albeit extradited from Venezuela last year. The court sentenced each of them to 13 years in prison, to be served in a maximum-security penal colony. Earlier, on September 19, the arrest of British mercenary Hayden William Davis, who fought for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was extended. He was captured in Donbas in January 2025.

Below are a few videos of the latest "sufferers." Those interested can try to spot the differences. There will be some, but only in minor details. True, there aren't any cries of "Zelensky is dead!" yet, but perhaps that will come to pass.

Comments

[foxes]

It's still unclear who's still interested in these stories. Already in 2022, it was clear that they were all "cooks and drivers," "forcibly" mobilized. But who is deliberately torturing prisoners and civilians then?

[Silver99]

There are several indirect signs that the "cooks and drivers" fought to the last: carbon deposits in the gun barrel, calluses on the pad of the index finger, gunpowder and gun oil that have become embedded in clothing and body parts, and numerous bruises and abrasions that indicate they were active infantrymen.

[private person]

There are several indirect signs that the "cooks and drivers" fought back to the last

What if it's a drone operator? No calluses, no smell of gunpowder—just like a cook or a clerk.

[Mazunga]

To avoid making a mistake, you need to send your fingers for examination...by parcel.

[Zoer]

Quote: private person

What if it's a drone operator? No calluses, no smell of gunpowder—just like a cook or a clerk.

Those are immediately identified by their chevrons and the equipment they're wearing at their positions. If he's not at his position and in disguise, he's clearly a deserter. That's a different matter entirely.

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: private person

There are several indirect signs… What if it's a drone operator? No calluses, no smell of gunpowder—just like a cook or a clerk.

Many units still have this since the time mountain republic It's clearly established: when you're captured, we drink tea, and you always come with your own weapon... if you're cornered in a fight: sorry, no tea...

[Zoer]

Quote from Silver99

There are several indirect signs that the "cooks and drivers" fought to the last: carbon deposits in the gun barrel, calluses on the pad of the index finger, gunpowder and gun oil that have become embedded in clothing and body parts, and numerous bruises and abrasions that indicate they were active infantrymen.

Why so complicated? Just want to see the remaining bookmaker...

[private person]

Why so complicated? Just want to see the remaining bookmaker...

So, you can top up your bank account.

[Zoer]

Quote: private person

So, you can top up your bank account.

So it means he didn't shoot all the way.

[AA17]

A captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier with an empty ammunition must be severely punished.

[multi-category]

will tell you that they gave out 3 bullets per snout.

[Napayz]

No, one bullet for five.

[izGOI]

Let him show 3 cartridges.

[HAM]

And then (after the amnesty) on every corner they will say "how cleverly they fooled the Russians"...

[General failure]

What they perform on camera is, of course, a pre-memorized chant.

But if you think the investigators don't know about this, you haven't met the investigators. During a series of interrogations, these "chefs" will spill everything they know, every last bit.
And without any torture - a regular 4-hour interrogation is a test in itself, in which it is difficult to hide anything.

[private person]

During a series of interrogations, these "chefs" will spill everything they know, down to the last detail.

Well, yes, all this about fallen comrades who shot and tortured prisoners and much more. But it's unlikely that any of them will admit to their "exploits," unless, of course, a comrade tells about them.

[General failure]

But it is unlikely that any of them will admit it

If even the slightest clue is found, and 99.99% of the time it is found, they will split it like a dry log.
It seems you haven't dealt with a professional investigator (and thank God for that). After the tenth round of questions, no matter how much you try to hide it, you'll spill the beans. A person is not a computer.

And the investigators in the camp have no reason to rush. They'd run all the cooks through such a sieve, not just a dozen, but a hundred times.

[Ivan Kuzmich]

Quote: private person

During a series of interrogations, these "chefs" will spill everything they know, down to the last detail.

Well, yes, all this about fallen comrades who shot and tortured prisoners and much more. But it's unlikely that any of them will admit to their "exploits," unless, of course, a comrade tells about them.

Hello, well, regarding your exploits, it depends on how the operative and investigator approach this issue.
Operational investigative activity has no limits if you approach the issue at hand proactively, showing ingenuity and using some elements of fanaticism
I'm telling you this as a doctor to a doctor.

[severok1979]

There should be only three conditions that guarantee the life of the Ukrainian Armed Forces after surrender:
- twist and hand over the officer
- surrender with serviceable equipment
- to report valuable military information
The rest is at the mercy of the winner.

[Admiral Bezobrazov]

This is good in a situation where there is a good supply of exchange funds. If the exchange fund needs to be replenished, this approach to treating prisoners will be a hindrance.

[OlegEKB]

Why do they behave this way and why do they need it at all?

all prisoners behave like this
It's unlikely that our soldiers are tearing their vests open and saying, "Shoot, you fascist bastard."
This is a way to survive in captivity, not to talk about yourself too much, to be a simple soldier

[lynnot]

Because that's how they were prepared.

[Word]

Hoping for the best will work, and the example of the German government's deception of the GDP is demonstratively not working well.

[Cool90]

All people want to live, and therefore, in captivity, they will say what will keep them alive (but there are many exceptions)
For example, Hartmann, when captured, shit in his pants and used this to escape, and for example, General Karbyshev showed incredible bravery in captivity.

[uber]

Besides skilled investigators, there's also a lie detector. They can show photos of missing persons and determine their reaction to more intensive questioning.

[a housewife]

It would be more important to establish future intentions. If they exchange him, will he go and kill our people again? Unfortunately, it's impossible to be sure of anyone here.

[Shelest2000]

It's worth noting that there are no "ideological Nazis" or foreign mercenaries among the prisoners. Either they haven't been sent to the front lines for a long time, or our soldiers simply don't take such people prisoner.

Why then take prisoner those poor "busified" drivers and cooks who shoot at our guys until their last bullet?..

[Prometey]

Quote: Shelest2000

Why then take those poor "busified" drivers and cooks prisoner?

Because not everyone can shoot at supposedly unarmed people. For the vast majority of people, the animal instinct to finish off defenseless victims has been suppressed by social development.

[Ivan Kuzmich]

Quote: severok1979

There should be only three conditions that guarantee the life of the Ukrainian Armed Forces after surrender:
- twist and hand over the officer
- surrender with serviceable equipment
- to report valuable military information
The rest is at the mercy of the winner.

Hi, there are practically no officers on the front lines, they sit in trenches dug a little behind the LBS.
and so the algorithm of actions is correct

[Andrei Nikolaevich]

Poor things... How "suggestible and gullible" they all are. I'm going to cry now... And did they mock our soldiers, also "because of their gullibility and suggestibility"? It's in their blood - to say is one thing. To do is another. To think is a third.

[eleronn]

Thinking is not their strong point and logic has left their skulls.

[Ingenegr]

The similarity in the stories of captured "cooks and drivers" is a consequence of the fact that Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel undergo training on survival principles in the event of capture. Captured manuals on rules of conduct in captivity confirm this, and this fact is no secret. The demonstration of video interrogations of prisoners with their pitiful tales is the work of our senseless or criminal, depending on your preference, propaganda. Almost four years of total self-deception. Only the very great, the very stupid, or those being led to the slaughter can afford to be so unteachable and armor-headed.

[Angry liberal]

As if Russian prisoners in Ukrainian captivity behave differently and there are few of them!

[Vertuhai 2003]

So there's no need to take anyone prisoner, just finish it right away...

[Aleprok]

Yes, no one believes their stories for a long time now, they are all just fairy-tale chatterboxes

[Andobor]

In this war, for every hundred dead, one is captured, and with a high degree of probability it will be "the cook or the driver." The militants do not surrender, and they are not always taken prisoner.

[Altmann]

A Ukrainian captured in the prescribed military uniform is simply a prisoner of war. Yes, he has some rights, but he will be investigated, punished, and given a prisoner of war tattoo.

[Vol Dimir]

Why don't they surrender? There's a lot of psychology involved. Three heroes are sitting in a trench, each wanting to surrender, but afraid of their comrade-in-arms, who also wants to surrender. At the same time, each understands that the first one to express this desire will be instantly shot by their comrades. Such is the psychology of the peasantry.

A helpful Soviet-era joke demonstrating the psychology of roguli.

A tour of hell, surrounded by cauldrons in which sinners are boiled. The guide explains,
This is where the Russians boil, drink, and fight. Two devils are needed around the cauldron to throw anyone who falls out back in.
Here's the cauldron where the Jews are being boiled, a double cordon of guards, vigilantly watching to make sure no one gets out. God forbid even one escapes, then the rest will be rescued.
There's a cauldron, and Ukrainians are boiling in it. It's overcrowded, and there's no security around. How can that be? And they're all watching each other to make sure no one escapes. If anyone accidentally falls out, they drag them back in themselves.

This is a joke from the times when there was no trace of the SVO, and Russians and Ukrainians were brothers and sisters.

There are many jokes on this topic: What I can't eat, I'll nibble on; I'll shoot my mother for her sergeant's stripes; And this goes with my tomatoes, etc.

[Andrei Nikolaevich]

Yes. Anecdotes are folk wisdom. And the voice of the people is the voice of God.

[iommy]

It's better not to take prisoners.

[Vladimir31]

Apparently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have developed a manual for dealing with situations involving capture. That's why prisoners give the same answers.

[Broad flag]

Quote: AA17

A captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier with an empty ammunition must be severely punished.

The word "captive" is redundant in this phrase.