40% of Russian prisoners surrendered to Ukraine voluntarily - Intelligence

This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate.

Representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Andriy Yusov presented the first experimental sociological study of Russian prisoners of war conducted by the Coordination Headquarters within the framework of the I Want to Live project.

"To understand in more detail who the average occupier is, what his social portrait is, his motives. How they see and perceive the world and reality. And, finally, what really motivates him," said Andriy Yusov, adding that the study was conducted in April 2023.

According to the study, representatives of almost all regions of Russia, as well as illegally mobilized in the temporarily occupied territories of ORDLO and Crimea and contractors of the so-called "LPR" people's militia, are involved in the hostilities against Ukraine.

40% of respondents said they were taken prisoner voluntarily, which indicates low morale among the enemy.

80% of Russian prisoners of war are dissatisfied with the orders of their superiors, with over 50% stating that in case of retreat, commanders will retreat and leave their personnel behind.

Regarding the motivation of the occupiers, 54.8% of Russian prisoners of war named "the desire for life stability" as the most powerful factor that motivated them to go to war against Ukraine, and 35.9% of Russians were motivated by "the opportunity to advance in life."

It is emphasized that the following statements found absolutely no support among the respondents: "the desire to avenge comrades" and "the desire to be a professional military man".

60% of the respondents, assessing the personal qualities of their commanders on a five-point scale, give them the lowest score - 1. Only 1.3% of respondents gave them a score of 5. Only 17% of Russian prisoners of war said they were fully supplied with ammunition and only 6% said they could count on the support of other units.

According to the study, the main source of information in the Russian army is conversations with fellow soldiers and calls home. These sources of information are the most trusted, while only 20% of respondents trust television.