A Ukrainian-aligned resistance group successfully managed to recruit a Russian soldier, who had been covertly working against Ukraine for several months.
The dissident soldier, known as "Chrome," was once a loyal serviceman for the "Thunder" unit before deciding to join the Liberate Russia Crusade during the "winter of 2024." According to the crusade, a collective of Russian dissidents battling for Ukraine, this was the soldier's choice.
Chrome, a 24-year-old from Siberia, enlisted in the Russian military in 2021. He explained his reasons for defecting in an interview published on YouTube by the "I Desire to Exist" initiative – a Ukrainian government program that receives appeals from Russian soldiers stationed in Ukraine seeking to surrender.
"I yearned to serve in the army, I pledged to safeguard my homeland. My homeland is there [in Russia] and it hasn't been attacked. I didn't wish to fight for Russia during the conflict, nor did I wish to die for Putin," he asserted.
Chrome participated in the conflict in the eastern Avdiivka area, representing the Russian side of the border, as a drone operator, he explained in the interview. Previously, he had served on China's border with Russia.
"Chrome played a significant role in the resistance for several months and transmitted crucial operational data to us (the location of forces and equipment, plans, tasks in a particular sector of the front, etc.)," the Liberate Russia Crusade stated.
Fleeing the Thunder unit, Chrome allegedly triggered explosive devices in the unit's headquarters, seriously injuring the commander and several high-ranking officers, according to the crusade.
The crusade uploaded a video to its YouTube channel, claiming it was taken from a hidden camera, showing the operation. Several men can be seen in the video wearing military uniforms before an explosion occurs, causing a fire.
"During the retreat, Chrome planted explosives on the path and followed the agreed route. The crusade command, along with the 'I Desire to Exist' team, organized Chrome's withdrawal from the combat zone," the Crusade revealed.
Ukraine's intelligence department named the operation to get Chrome out "October."
"The Russian was persuaded to collaborate with Ukraine due to the systemic war crimes and other crimes committed by the command, including extrajudicial executions, beatings, and burglaries in the occupied unit," the Defense Intelligence disclosed on Telegram on Tuesday.
Chrome claimed in the interview that he had witnessed some Russian soldiers killed by their own commander.
CNN was unable to verify this claim but has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment.
The Defense Intelligence stated that Ukraine was able to obtain valuable intelligence on the position, strength, and intentions of Russian forces in a specific frontline area due to the interaction with Chrome.
Chrome's actions against the Thunder unit garnered attention beyond Russia, with the Liberate Russia Crusade sharing a video of the operation on their YouTube channel, aiming to highlight the atrocities committed by the Russian command in Ukraine. The video showcased Chrome's efforts in planting explosives and leading a retreat, which significantly impacted the Russian forces in Europe.
