Russian defectors fighting for Ukraine urge fellow soldiers to surrender
The Freedom of Russia Legion, made up of Russian defectors, calls on Russian troops to surrender as Sky News reports on their mission.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Russian soldiers who have defected to fight for Ukraine are appealing to their former comrades to surrender, according to a report from Sky News. The appeal comes from the Freedom of Russia Legion, a unit formed in 2022 after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Members include former Russian Navy and army personnel, and the group has operated along the entire front line, including inside Russian territory.
In footage shared with Sky News, a Russian soldier performs the sign of the cross and surrenders to a drone. What is unusual is that the drone is operated by other Russians, defectors who have taken up arms against their own country. One legion member, when asked if he had killed Russians since joining Ukraine, said: "They try to choose to I don't feel anything except a sense of relief that fewer people in Ukraine will die."
The report follows the story of Goga, a former sailor on a Russian missile ship. When he learned his vessel might be used to strike Ukraine, he decided to defect. After his request to resign was denied, he contacted the legion. On the day of his escape, he set fire to his ship, got ashore, and took a taxi to the Lithuanian border.
Back in Russia, the legion is classified as a terrorist group. Those who join it can face up to 20 years in prison. Despite this, the legion continues to recruit and operate. One member's message to other Russian servicemen was blunt: "run you fools you will die."
The legion's activities are largely secret, but it is known to have been near the border village of Tekino in 2024. The report highlights the growing number of Russians who have switched sides and are now fighting for a free Ukraine and a free Russia.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Sky News |
|---|---|
| A Russian soldier surrendered to a drone operated by the Freedom of Russia Legion. | |
| Russia designates the Freedom of Russia Legion as a terrorist organization, with membership punishable by up to 20 years in prison. | |
| The Freedom of Russia Legion has operated along the entire front line and into Russian territory. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused on the personal stories of Russian defectors, particularly the dramatic escape of Goga and the emotional motivations behind their decisions. The report highlighted the legion's operations and the risks defectors face, using direct interviews and footage to humanise the story.
- “I had only one thought in my head that I wanted to go to Ukraine and kill the enemy”
- “I don't feel anything except a sense of relief that fewer people in Ukraine will die”
- “I would say run you fools you will die”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.