Yemeni national recounts how he ended up in a Russian assault unit
On the Zaporizhzhia front, soldiers from the infantry battalion of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment captured a Yemeni national who had been fighting for Russian forces.
This was reported by the Dmytro Kotsiubailo 1st Separate Assault Regiment.
The assault company commander stated that this was the first such prisoner taken in this sector of the front. While foreigners have previously been encountered in Russian units on other fronts, such instances are rare.
The regiment noted that prisoners fighting on Russia’s side include citizens from dozens of countries, including nations in the Middle East. The Yemeni man himself said he had arrived in Russia with his father and a relative; in total, there were about six or seven of them.
“After arriving in Russia, we were conscripted into the army. Then we were in some village—I don’t even know its name. I didn’t have a map, and I wouldn’t know how to use one anyway. It was only later that I found out I was in Ukraine.”
On the Zaporizhzhia front, he was part of a Russian assault group alongside another Arab man and a Russian. Both of his companions were killed during the fighting.
The man himself sustained injuries to his eye, back, and leg.
According to him, the group’s supplies were minimal. Food and water were provided at long intervals.
“Once every four days, we were given a can of stewed meat, two chocolate bars, and two snack bars—to last four days.” The 1st Separate Assault Battalion noted that after he was wounded, the Russians effectively abandoned him to his fate. Eventually, he fell into the hands of Ukrainian troops, where he was given a chance to survive.