A Russian soldier, known by the call sign “Silver,” defected to Ukraine in a dramatic escape after planting explosives at his military base. The ensuing explosion injured his commander and several officers.
Silver, a 24-year-old drone operator from Siberia, had become disillusioned with the Russian military, citing war crimes, corruption, and extrajudicial killings within his ranks.
Silver’s defection was facilitated by Ukraine’s Freedom for Russia Legion and the “I Want to Live” project, a Ukrainian initiative aimed at helping Russian soldiers who wish to surrender. He had secretly been providing Ukraine with critical intelligence on Russian troop movements and strategies for months before his escape in May.
During his time in the Russian military, Silver served near Ukraine’s eastern Avdiivka area, where he witnessed firsthand the alleged misconduct of Russian commanders.
In a video released by the Freedom for Russia Legion, Silver can be seen throwing a grenade into the bunker where his commanders were sleeping, injuring senior officers. He then used mines to cover his tracks as he fled, following a pre-planned route to defect to Ukraine. The operation was dubbed “Ocheret” by Ukraine’s military intelligence.
Silver’s cooperation has reportedly provided Ukraine with valuable insights into Russian military operations along the front line. Despite his claims, which include witnessing commanders killing their own soldiers, Russia’s Defense Ministry has declined to comment on his defection.
Ukraine views Silver’s defection as a sign of growing unrest within the Russian military. He is now undergoing training as part of Ukraine’s Freedom for Russia Legion, a group of Russian dissidents fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
