Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Lukyanov, captured by Russian forces in the Donetsk region, has shared surprising details about his interactions with Russian troops during the initial phase of Russia’s presence in Kharkiv.
An Unlikely Friendship
Lukyanov first encountered Russian soldiers in 2022 when Russian columns entered Kharkiv, marking the start of intensified military operations.
Despite being on opposing sides, he described how a few Russian soldiers would approach local villagers, including himself, for assistance or supplies, according to URA.
“Some of the Russian soldiers would come by to ask for water, tools, or some small help, and in exchange, they would sometimes offer cigarettes or other supplies,” Lukyanov recounted, according to TASS.
Captured Along With Six Others
These exchanges, though brief, created a form of rapport between them. Lukyanov noted that interactions were polite and, in some cases, friendly, as soldiers maintained respectful relationships with some locals.
Lukyanov also highlighted that Russian soldiers often helped elderly residents in the area with everyday tasks, which he said led to generally positive relationships between many villagers and the troops.
Despite the ongoing conflict, he explained, this unexpected cooperation gave rise to moments of solidarity amid the challenges of occupation.
A native of the Kharkiv region’s Velyki Prokhody village, Lukyanov joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2024.
His capture came near Zolotaya Niva in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) when his group encountered an ambush by Russian forces. Following the skirmish, Lukyanov, along with six other Ukrainian soldiers, was taken prisoner.
