A Russian drone operator, Myroslav Symonov, has surrendered to Ukrainian forces after expressing disillusionment with his military service. Symonov, affiliated with the ‘Rubikon’ training center, voluntarily crossed the front line during a combat mission.
Symonov stated that he had initially signed a contract with the Russian army in hopes of joining a unit where his father had served. However, he was assigned to a drone aviation unit and subsequently trained at the ‘Rubikon’ center, which is touted in Russia as a key facility for drone operator training.
In his account, he described rigorous training and participation in combat missions, which allowed him to observe the internal workings of the Russian military, including its treatment of prisoners and civilians.
After witnessing conditions he found unacceptable, Symonov attempted to leave his unit, referred to as ‘SOCH’ in military terminology. He was apprehended and transferred to an assault brigade, which Russian soldiers informally label as ‘meat’ due to high casualty rates.
By this time, Symonov was aware of the Ukrainian initiative ‘I Want to Live,’ which guarantees adherence to international humanitarian law for those who voluntarily surrender. Taking advantage of an opportunity during a combat operation, he successfully crossed the front line and surrendered to Ukrainian troops. His story was shared in a video on the YouTube channel associated with the ‘I Want to Live’ project.
The Ukrainian military has indicated that such incidents are becoming more frequent, with increasing numbers of Russian soldiers opting to surrender to avoid further involvement in the conflict.
The ‘Rubikon’ center in Russia is positioned as a training base for operators of strike and reconnaissance drones. Since the onset of the full-scale war, drones have become essential tools in combat, with drone units prioritized within the Russian military structure.
Symonov’s case has garnered attention due to his ties to this training system. Ukrainian sources emphasize that each surrender not only saves a life but also potentially provides valuable intelligence regarding the organization and operational methods of the adversary.
Details regarding Symonov’s current status have not been officially disclosed.
Myroslav Symonov, a Russian drone operator, has surrendered to Ukrainian forces after expressing dissatisfaction with his military experience. His case highlights a growing trend of Russian soldiers choosing to surrender to avoid further combat involvement.