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Coverage dated October 11, 2026

Ukrainian prisoners of war and defectors have been gathered into a Russian battalion to face Ukrainian forces — why? And how?

Headline from Deutsche Welle

Russia has announced a battalion consisting of Ukrainian "volunteers." But veterans and former prisoners of war share very different accounts.

Deutsche Welle's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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2 articles, oldest first.

  1. Deutsche Welle

    Ukrainian prisoners of war and defectors have been gathered into a Russian battalion to face Ukrainian forces — why? And how? (opens Deutsche Welle)

    Published

    Deutsche Welle's feed description

    Russia has announced a battalion consisting of Ukrainian "volunteers." But veterans and former prisoners of war share very different accounts.

  2. Deutsche Welle

    Who are the Ukrainian 'volunteers' under Russian command? (opens Deutsche Welle)

    Published

    Deutsche Welle's feed description

    Russia has announced a battalion consisting of Ukrainian "volunteers." But veterans and former prisoners of war share very different accounts.

Ukrainian prisoners of war and defectors have been gathered into a Russian battalion to face Ukrainian forces — why? And how? | Since Then