Captured Russian soldiers in Kursk plead with Putin for prisoner swap

In the video, captured Russian conscripts plead with the Kremlin to arrange a prisoner exchange with Ukraine, asking for the release of the detained defenders of Mariupol.

“We are conscripts who were defending the Kursk region before being captured. We are begging for an exchange with the fighters from the Azov regiment. We are terrified and just want to return home to our families,” the captured soldiers said.

Russian marines who have also surrendered to Ukrainian forces echoed their plea.

While the exact number of Russian servicemembers captured in Kursk Oblast is unclear, the released videos suggest it could be in the dozens or even hundreds.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces now control around 40 settlements in Russian border Oblast.