Russian prisoners given tour of bombing sites in Kharkiv

The tour and interviews were conducted by the Kharkiv media outlet Nakypilo.

The prisoners were taken to central Kharkiv, where a Russian missile struck on May 25. When asked how they ended up in the army, one prisoner said they had signed a contract due to financial difficulties: "Mortgage, money, debts." Despite fearing death, he couldn't explain why he went to war.

"I feel that there is an occupation and genocide on the Russian side. I saw it with my own eyes. Many soldiers are dead. Many children and adults are dying, and civilian objects are being destroyed," he said.

The Russian prisoner of war believes that no progress will be made until dictator Vladimir Putin is no longer in power.

"Nothing will change until Putin leaves," he stated.

When asked if a popular uprising against the government is possible in Russia, he responded, "The people are all intimidated; no one can rise up." He mentioned that he is 20 years old, had been fighting for five months, and was captured near Lyptsi in Kharkiv region.

The journalist asked why Russia is launching missiles and bombs at civilian targets in Kharkiv.

"They tell us there is military equipment and infrastructure here. But I don't see any of that... We are all told in Russia that they are targeting military infrastructure, but I have now seen with my own eyes that there is no military equipment here and there never has been. Not only here, but also in the previous building," said one of the prisoners.