Uzbek-born soldier fighting for Russia captured by Ukrainian forces

Ulugbek Usmanov, a native of Uzbekistan, was taken prisoner by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Dobropillia axis in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. A video featuring him was published by the Telegram channel “Mykolaivskyi Vanek”, according to Uzbek media.

In the footage, Usmanov says he lived in Russia for about seven years and obtained Russian citizenship. It is not specified whether he retained his Uzbek passport.

According to the captive, he signed a contract with Russia’s Ministry of Defence while serving a prison sentence. He said he was assigned to the 132nd Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. Usmanov claims he surrendered after his unit was encircled and left without food or supplies.

He also stated that he was subjected to insults while serving in the Russian army and did not receive medical assistance after being wounded. According to him, after being captured, Ukrainian soldiers provided him with help, gave him food and water, and offered him cigarettes.

This is not the first case in which individuals originating from Central Asian countries have been among those fighting on Russia’s side and subsequently captured in Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova