Russian Soldier Opts for Captivity Through Drone Message, Ukrainian Forces Report

A member of the Russian military sought to surrender using a uniquely improvised method—by crafting a cardboard message that was eventually noticed by a drone, according to reports from Ukrainian military units.

According to the 16th Army Corps, the incident unfolded in Lyman, a locality in Ukraine's Kharkiv region where drone operators found a message from a Russian soldier pleading for capture to secure his safety.

His message articulated a simple request: 'Please take me prisoner, I wish to survive,' as translated by the Ukrainian state news source, United24.

Following identification, the soldier was provided with directions on the surrender protocol and subsequently captured.

Video evidence circulated by the Ukrainian unit shows a structure with multiple signs displayed in the windows and scattered on the ground. The footage then captures an individual placing yet another sign at the window.

Further scenes depict a Ukrainian soldier inscribing directives onto cardboard, seemingly preparing them for dispatch via drone. Two Ukrainians are later seen escorting the Russian soldier.

The 16th Army Corps revealed that the Shkval Special Forces Unit of Ukraine’s 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade played a significant role in the operation.

This event is part of a wider pattern involving drones facilitating Russian troop surrenders. Ukrainian units have used drones for messaging, including instances where they broadcast audio messages urging Russian soldiers to give up.

In 2022, Ukraine's military released a video guide which laid out detailed steps on how a Russian soldier could yield to a drone.

Drones have been more instrumental in Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine than ever before, utilized by both sides for reconnaissance and offensive measures, thus redefining the dynamics of modern warfare.

Their ability to operate in perilous areas where it would be unsafe for Ukrainian soldiers makes them particularly efficient in persuading Russian forces to capitulate.

Ukraine promotes these voluntary surrenders using initiatives like the ‘I Want to Live’ hotline, which claims thousands of Russian soldiers have accessed it.

In a 2023 statement, a program representative mentioned that some Russian soldiers offer to renounce not only their own freedom but also their equipment and heavy vehicles.