# Ukrainian POWs Join Russian Battalions

> Former Ukrainian soldiers defect to Russian forces after torture, seeking escape from captivity.
- Title: Ukrainian POWs Join Russian Battalions · Dw | Shortify
- Summary: Former Ukrainian soldiers defect to Russian forces after torture, seeking escape from captivity. Ukrainian prisoners of war joined Russian battalions to…
- Keywords: pavlo oliynyk, maksym kryvonis battalion, ukrainian prisoners of war, russian forces, donbas region, 2024, 2025, un human rights, torture, voluntary recruitment, news, world
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/moscow-claims-former-ukrainian-prisoners-are-fighting-under-russian-command-voluntarily-but-veterans-and-former-pows-share-different-accounts/a-79629555?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pavlo oliynyk, maksym kryvonis battalion, ukrainian prisoners of war, russian forces, donbas region, 2024, 2025, un human rights, torture, voluntary recruitment, news, world
## Pavlo Oliynyk's Escape
Pavlo Oliynyk, 25, joined Russian forces to escape Russian captivity after being tortured as a Ukrainian POW.

> Ukrainian volunteers consist mostly of POWs
## Maksym Kryvonis Battalion
The Maksym Kryvonis battalion, named after a 17th-century Cossack commander, has about 200 fighters according to Russian media.
## Ukrainian POWs in Combat
Ukrainian intelligence services confirm over 30 former Ukrainian servicemen joined Russian forces between 2023 and 2024.
## Forced Recruitment
Ukrainian POWs were pressured to join Russian forces after being tortured, with some signing contracts under psychological duress.

> They showed us they could do anything they wanted to us
## Torture and Control
POWs reported torture, beatings, and surveillance by Russian intelligence while receiving monthly wages in envelopes.
## Escape Attempt
Oliynyk fled to Ukrainian territory after two days hiding from drones before making contact with Ukrainian fighters.
## Current Status
Oliynyk is now detained in Ukraine for nearly two years while authorities investigate possible treason.
## Key takeaway

Ukrainian prisoners of war joined Russian battalions to escape Russian captivity, claiming they were forced to sign contracts under psychological pressure.