Russian pilot sent to assault unit chooses Ukrainian captivity over death - video

"Rubicon" is positioned in Russia as a key facility for training operators of attack and reconnaissance UAVs.

Soldier, identified as Miroslav Simonov, claimed he signed a contract with the Russian army hoping to join his father's unit. Instead, he was assigned to unmanned aviation units and sent for training at the Rubicon center. 

Simonov later went AWOL (unauthorized abandonment of unit), and, after being detained in Russia, he was transferred to an assault unit as punishment.

He seized an opportunity during a combat mission to cross into Ukrainian-controlled territory and surrender.

I Want to Live project released video testimony of the soldier on its platforms.