WLazzy – a Russian who fights against his own country, says that it was very easy to work as an agent for Ukraine and attack Russian railways.
“It’s not that complicated,” he explains. “Anybody in Russia can freely buy gasoline—right now, while some refineries are still working—and set the railroad on fire.”
“Of course, you have to prepare exit routes. To plan the operation, so to speak. You can’t just walk up and decide to do it… think first, then act. But really, anyone can do it.”
Vandals burned “several” railway switches and electrical systems in arson attacks in Russia’s Volga region.
But the truth is that it was dangerous. And it ate his nervous system.
That’s why he crossed the Russian border and joined the Ukrainian army to fight against Vladimir Putin.
For the past year, he’s been a front-line soldier fighting in the shattered rubble of what’s now known as the “Dead Zone,” because it’s so densely populated with soldiers from both sides, all hidden from enemy drones — with the occasional personal sneak attack.
“I think it’s easier for me here,” he says. Because in Russia I was constantly afraid for my life. Here in Ukraine, FSB and GRU [secret service] Networks are not so strong in Russia, it is much more dangerous. Also, [in Russia] Many people support the regime. “Say the wrong word and they will attack you.”
Laziness chose to fight the Putin regime for what he saw as cronyism, corruption and the destruction of democracy: “Russia must have a future.”
As he speaks, his face is hidden and he is recognized only by his military insignia. Independent I met him a short distance from the front line where he is fighting in southern Ukraine.
Here, in Ukraine, I can defend myself with a weapon. Yes, it is scary in places. They want to kill you. But it’s clear: either you or them.”
He is part of the Russian Freedom Legion, which operates under the control of Kiev’s military intelligence services, like other foreign volunteer units. The Legion claims to field several hundred men. They are all Russian. In Moscow they were executed as traitors.
In Ukraine, they have fought in the Third Province, lost the bitter battle for Bakhmut, and are said to have been involved in pushing back recent Russian offensives on the southern battlefronts.
Ukraine has increased its campaign both inside the occupied territories and in Russia itself. In one of its most spectacular strikes, Ukraine managed to disable Russian bombers in a covert spider operation that involved multiple targets and agents on the ground.
Russian refineries and power plants are regularly attacked by Ukraine’s new long-range drones.
But the Freedom Legion for Russia is eyeing the local defense of Ukraine. And then the struggle in Russia to overthrow Putin completely. The latter would be welcomed by Kiev, but no target has been announced.
Caesar, a veteran Russian fighter in Ukraine’s military, began his opposition to Putin with what he called “terrorist attacks.” For at least the past three and a half years, he has been in the Ukrainian army. Religious fervor and monarchist dreams of a tsar returning to Russia are driven.
Originally from Sochi, he said he was not worried about killing fellow Russians.
“I don’t feel bad about killing my own citizens because they are doing very bad things here and I saw how they killed civilians, how they raped, how they stole and they want to destroy Ukraine. Putin not only destroyed Ukraine, but also my country,” he said.
Like Lazzy, he is armed with a modern Mi16 rifle, which is originally an American design. This aircraft is rapidly replacing the AK-47 in Ukrainian armor.
Caesar describes the reality on the front lines of the war he chose to join.
“There are not as many military personnel on the front as there were two or three years ago. We are all spread out. We now have almost two or three people sitting in a shelter. Because if we leave dozens there, they will be killed.
Moving in and out is very dangerous. This is the most dangerous part of the operation.
Soldiers are forced to spend weeks and sometimes months in foxholes and bunkers to survive constant artillery and drone attacks.
He continues by referring to laziness: In the last operation, he was in position for about 45 days, I was in position for about three weeks, it is really hard.
“Every day, every time you dig, dig, dig, and dig again.”
In the past few weeks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has traveled to the West, seeking long-range missiles and air defense systems.
Putin has stepped up his attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, focusing on energy and transportation systems ahead of winter.
Russian forces have also advanced in small areas at great expense east of Kharkiv, and have already committed massacres in Pokrovsk against local civilians left behind by Ukraine’s retreat. But drone warfare has held the Russians back.
The problem in Ukraine is that drones cannot fly in strong winds, rain, fog or when it is snowing. Putin’s forces are likely to take advantage of the bad winter weather and attempt to cross Ukrainian lines when the drones are grounded.
That’s when Sloth and Caesar will face their toughest test.
