According to his own statement in an interview with the Russian human rights organization in exile Gulagu.net from the end of 2022, Vladislav Ismailov was captured by the Ukrainian army last November.
He was originally “moved” from Russian prisons to serve in the Prigozhin Army as part of Wagner’s recruiting process. Mercenary chief Prigozhin recruited him personally, Ismailov said at the time. Now the POW should have been exchanged in a deal with Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russia.
But he apparently has no desire to return to Russia and fight again for the Kremlin and Prigozhin: a video circulating on Telegram shows how Ismailov decides to join the Russian volunteer corps RDK before the prisoner exchange.
Ex-mercenary Wagner defected to Ukraine
The Volunteer Corps is a unit that officially fights independently for the Ukrainian side (or rather: against Russia) in the war. In the unit, Russians fight against the government against their own country for various reasons. Recently, the RDK caused a stir when it tried to take villages on Russian territory in the Belgorod region.
More information about the unit, which is led by self-proclaimed neo-Nazi Denis Nikitin, can be found here:
It is not surprising that Wagner boss Prigoschin does not enjoy the published video. In a post on his Telegram channel, he describes Ismailov as a “traitor”. And explains what threatens the defector if his ex-colleagues get his hands on him: a “punishment that corresponds to Wagner traditions”. In the jargon of the mercenary group, known for being extremely brutal, this should mean execution.
The Russian Volunteer Corps, on the other hand, welcomes Ismailov with open arms. According to the unit’s telegram channel, they are happy to let him fight him after checking. (con)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
