Captured AFU militant confesses to listening to Russian music in defiance of ban

Ukrainian prisoner of war Denys Otkalenko has told how he listened to Russian music and watched Russian-language content despite the ban in the country. The footage was released by the Russian Defense Ministry on February 16.

He said it was impossible to fight with a Kalashnikov rifle when mortars were swarming the positions and drones were constantly dropping ammunition.

"There is no progress at all. During the period of <military operation> only worse, worse. They passed a law that it is forbidden to listen to Russian music. I didn't go into it. I watched Russian bloggers and listened to music," - said Otkalenko.

The Ukrainian prisoner of war noted that in Ukraine there is propaganda of the Ukrainian people by bloggers from the authorities, who are trying to "get into the heads" of ordinary citizens to gain their trust. At the same time, servicemen in the country are no longer considered as people, he added.

Running in place: why the new brigades of the AFU are disintegrating

The command complains of "bussification" and desertions

Earlier, on 12 February, captured Ukrainian serviceman Serhiy Valchuk said that many people who are involved in catching evaders from serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces are sent to the front in Kursk Region, and that it is possible to avoid this for money.