Ukraine Captures Russian Morale Officer Who Can’t Remember His Own National Anthem

Ukrainian forces have captured a Russian officer responsible for political education and troop morale who admitted during questioning that he could not remember his own country’s national anthem.

According to Ukraine’s 8th Air Assault Corps on October 20, the prisoner served as a deputy company commander for military-political affairs, a position responsible for ideological instruction and political work among Russian troops.

The Ukrainian military noted that Russian officers are captured relatively infrequently, particularly those assigned to military-political roles.

During questioning, the captured officer identified desertion as one of the most significant problems facing the Russian military.

However, when Ukrainian soldiers asked him about Russia’s national anthem, the officer acknowledged that he could not recall its words, despite being responsible for political education within his unit.

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Ukrainian troops subsequently suggested that he use his time in captivity to learn the anthem before eventually returning to Russia. The 8th Air Assault Corps published footage of the exchange on its official Telegram channel.

The Ukrainian military also linked the officer’s apparent lack of knowledge to disciplinary problems within his company, suggesting it could help explain why soldiers were deserting.

Earlier, Ukrainian forces reported that Russian assault troops near Dobropillia in the Donetsk region had been hiding among the bodies of fallen comrades to evade Ukrainian drones. According to Ukraine’s 20th Liubart Brigade on October 19, repeated Russian assaults in the area have resulted in heavy losses, with wounded soldiers reportedly left behind by their units.

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