Штурмовик Физрук

Summary

The transcript recounts the experiences of a former Russian soldier, Michael, who served in elite military units such as the Russian Airborne Troops and Special Forces. After receiving a prestigious Kravovy Beret for his parachuting skills, he was deployed to Syria and later faced the brutal realities of war, including his eventual capture. The script highlights his transition from the Russian military to siding with Ukraine, describing the contrasts between the two sides in terms of camaraderie, military strategy, and logistics. The narrative reflects his disillusionment with the Russian military's approach and emphasizes his personal struggles during wartime.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker introduces himself as Mikhail, originally from Russia, and shares his age (24).
• 😀 Mikhail served in the Russian military in the GRU special forces, particularly within the Airborne Troops (VDV), and earned a Kravovy Beret.
• 😀 Before joining the military, Mikhail studied physical education in a city and initially planned to pursue a teaching career.
• 😀 He decided to enlist after completing his initial mandatory service, ultimately signing a contract with the military.
• 😀 Mikhail was trained in parachuting, earning his first blue beret as part of his airborne service.
• 😀 His first military deployment took him to Syria, where he served twice—first for six months, then for four months.
• 😀 During his time in Syria, Mikhail observed that the treatment of soldiers was harsh, with little regard for their safety.
• 😀 After being called for military duty again, Mikhail decided to surrender during the conflict, intentionally crossing over to the Ukrainian side.
• 😀 Mikhail reflects on the difference in the quality of teamwork and understanding among soldiers on the Ukrainian side, noting that the coordination was better than in the Russian forces.
• 😀 He highlights the logistical challenges faced by his unit, with some supplies not reaching their intended destinations in the Russian military but better handling on the Ukrainian side.
• 😀 Mikhail provides insight into the more brutal nature of missions on the Russian side, with soldiers being sent into high-risk assaults with little guidance or support.

Q & A

What is the background of the speaker?

The speaker, named Mikhail, is originally from Russia and is 24 years old. He served in the Russian Federation's military, specifically in the special forces of the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV), where he earned a blue beret for parachute jumps.

What did Mikhail study before joining the military?

Mikhail initially studied to become a physical education teacher. He attended school in a rural area before moving to the city to pursue his degree.

Why did Mikhail decide to join the military?

After completing his studies, Mikhail felt uncertain about working as a physical education teacher in schools. He ultimately chose to sign a military contract, as he believed it was a better path for him.

What was Mikhail's first military assignment?

Mikhail's first assignment was to serve in Syria. He was deployed there twice, with his first deployment lasting six months and the second one for four months.

How did Mikhail describe his experience in Syria?

Mikhail described the environment in Syria as harsh, where military personnel were not valued highly, and sometimes soldiers were sent on dangerous missions with little regard for their safety.

What was Mikhail's perspective on his role within the Russian military?

Mikhail expressed frustration with the Russian military's approach, mentioning that soldiers were often given unclear orders and sent on risky, poorly coordinated missions without adequate support or guidance.

What did Mikhail do when he was deployed on a mission in the Russian Federation?

Mikhail intentionally surrendered to the enemy and defected to the Ukrainian side, as he did not want to continue serving in the Russian military under the given circumstances.

How did Mikhail perceive the Ukrainian military compared to the Russian one?

Mikhail found the Ukrainian military to be more organized and supportive. He stated that the soldiers in Ukraine communicated better, understood each other quickly, and were more cooperative compared to the Russian forces.

What was Mikhail's role during combat operations?

Mikhail was involved in covering fire during assaults. He provided suppression fire while other soldiers advanced, ensuring they were protected during operations.

What did Mikhail say about logistical support in combat zones?

Mikhail highlighted a significant difference in logistics. While Russian logistics were inefficient, Ukrainian forces were more reliable, ensuring supplies like grenades and food were delivered directly to the frontlines without delay.