In a remarkable turn of events, a growing number of Russian men have chosen to abandon their own country and join Ukraine's forces in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Dissatisfied with Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine, these defectors have become members of the Siberian Battalion, a special unit formed by the Ukrainian military.

One member of the battalion, who goes by the military call sign Karabas, expressed his disillusionment with his own people and his desire to fight for a free Ukraine. He rejected the notion of being part of Putin's Russia and highlighted his belief that Russia, in its current state, cannot achieve freedom.

It is worth noting that the Siberian Battalion distinguishes itself from other volunteer units in Ukraine by being officially part of the regular Ukrainian army. Created six months ago, the battalion currently consists of a few dozen fighters. However, Ukrainian military officials anticipate growing numbers, with the goal of reaching a 300-man-strong unit of Russian fighters based on the applications received so far.

Karabas speculated that there may be tens, or even hundreds of thousands, of other Russians who share his sentiments and would be willing to fight alongside Ukrainians. He emphasized the need for more Russian fighters to join the cause.

Prospective troops who seek to join the Siberian Battalion undergo extensive security checks. These checks, which can take up to a year, are followed by training before the defectors are deployed to the front lines in eastern Ukraine, where the conflict has been most intense.

The battalion has already been deployed near the city of Avdiivka in the Russian-held Donetsk region. This area has been a significant battleground, with Moscow's forces encountering challenges in their attempts to recapture it.

Karabas, who was living in Moscow during the invasion in February 2022, was deeply disturbed by the images coming from the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. Disappointed by the blind support of Putin among his fellow countrymen, he made the decision to defect. However, it would take him almost a year to join the Siberian Battalion, involving a journey to Armenia and connecting with Ukrainians before making his way to Ukraine.

Many volunteers in the Siberian Battalion, such as battalion member Grifin, come from ethnic communities in Russia's far east, which have long faced issues such as poverty and racism. Their hope is that a Ukrainian victory in the war would help loosen Moscow's grip on their region.

Grifin described his decision to join the fight as a necessity, highlighting the feeling of being an outcast before joining the foreign battalion. He expressed a sense of psychological relief upon learning that he would be allowed to be part of the Siberian Battalion.

Another Russian fighter, going by the call sign Holod, expressed his desire to see Putin's regime toppled, even as Putin signaled his intention to seek reelection for another term. Holod sees Russia's cessation of sudden aggression as a requirement for true victory.

As more Russian men choose to fight against their former homeland, the Siberian Battalion stands as a symbol of defiance against Putin's regime and a testament to the growing discontent within Russia. The hopes of these defectors lie in a Ukrainian victory, which they believe could pave the way to a freer Russia and put an end to the ongoing aggression.