Russian Soldier Defects to Ukraine After Sabotaging 'Storm Z' Battalion Headquarters

A Russian soldier has defected to Ukraine after successfully carrying out an operation codenamed “Ocheret,” which involved the sabotage of a “Storm Z” battalion headquarters. This operation was conducted with the involvement of the “I Want to Live” project and the Legion “Freedom of Russia.”

According to reports, a 24-year-old Russian FPV pilot with the callsign “Silver” made contact with the Legion “Freedom of Russia” in the winter of 2024. His decision to cooperate with Ukraine was driven by systemic crimes committed by the battalion’s command, including extrajudicial executions, beatings, and extortion.

As part of his cooperation with Ukrainian forces, “Silver” provided valuable intelligence on the location, strength, and intentions of enemy forces on a specific front. In May 2024, he executed a plan involving the throwing of grenades into the ventilation shaft of the battalion’s underground headquarters, where the battalion commander and other officers were sleeping. The explosion resulted in serious injuries to several officers.

Following the operation, “Silver” used a pre-planned escape route to flee and crossed into Ukrainian-controlled territory. He is currently undergoing basic training as a recruit in the Legion “Freedom of Russia.”

The “I Want to Live” project, which facilitates the voluntary surrender of Russian soldiers to Ukrainian forces, reports that there have been over 300 successful surrender operations in nearly two years.