"Good Russians are fighting for Ukraine." What Russian "Barsik" from the Third Assault Brigade has to say about the war.

Kolovrat Kozhemyakin, with the call sign "Barsik," left Russia due to persecution for his nationalist views and support for Ukraine. Since 2014, he has fought alongside Ukraine as part of the Azov Regiment. With the onset of the full-scale invasion, he defended Kyiv, flew into the besieged Mariupol, and continues to serve in the 3rd Special Operations Brigade. More details can be found in Kozhemyakin's interview for the YouTube channel RBC-Ukraine.

As of the beginning of the full-scale invasion, official data indicated that over 200,000 Russians resided in Ukraine. Some former Russians not only condemned the armed aggression of their former homeland but also stood up to defend Ukraine alongside Ukrainians. Since 2022, two armed groups have been formed: the Legion "Freedom of Russia" and the "RDK." Additionally, some Russians have joined official units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, many of whom have been fighting on our side since 2014.

Volunteer Kolovrat Kozhemyakin, call sign "Barsik," hails from Syktyvkar. His appearance clearly reflects his preferences and outlook on life, with pagan and nationalist tattoos on his body and head. In 2014, Kolovrat left Russia due to persecution for his nationalist views and pro-Ukrainian stance.

"When the war began, with the occupation of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, I started thinking about crossing over to that side and fighting against the Russian regime," Kolovrat recalls.

His first attempt to leave for Ukraine was unsuccessful. "Barsik" tried to pass through Belarus, but at that time, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) denied him permission to cross the border. It was only on his second attempt, after undergoing certain checks, that he finally managed to arrive. He states that he traveled with one goal in mind – to join the army. Kolovrat considered two options: "Azov" or "Right Sector." Ultimately, within a few weeks of being in Ukraine, he became an "Azov" fighter.

"Azov" was a regiment of volunteers. I was very attracted to its nationalism. That's why I joined. I was interested in finding others like me – nationalists. Fighters with whom I would share both ideology and combat experience," Kozhemyakin recalls.

Barsik first went to the front in 2014, just four days before the Shyrokyne operation, and subsequently fought in the village of Shyrokyne itself. "I was in reconnaissance. We had several combat sorties there. It was more of a positional war by then. We were on the defensive," he explains.

For a long time, "Azov" was not allowed to engage in combat, and most of the time, fighters spent at the training ground. Therefore, Kolovrat left the army for a while and engaged in public activities. However, with the start of the full-scale invasion, he returned immediately. At that time, the "Azov" fighters were in Mariupol, so "Barsik" joined the Territorial Defense formation of "Azov," which began defending Kyiv region in 2022.

"We had started preparing and training a year prior. We were waiting for the Russian army to attack," Kolovrat says.

The first battles as part of the Territorial Defense of "Azov" took place in Bucha. Kolovrat recalls that they had nothing at the time except for automatic rifles, and they had to travel to missions on regular buses.

During the defense of Mariupol, volunteers were needed to fly into the besieged city by helicopter. Those who agreed were warned that it could be a one-way trip. Among the brave was Kolovrat. "I immediately agreed and didn't think about what would happen next. I was from 'Azov.' My friends were there, and I wanted to get in," the soldier recounts.

The Russian flew to save Ukrainians. Although at that time, "Barsik" was not the only Russian who went to Mariupol to assist Ukrainian soldiers. Another compatriot who set out to help the "Azov" fighters later ended up in captivity. No one knows his fate now. "Barsik," however, was fortunate not to be captured, but he sustained injuries and was evacuated from Mariupol a week after his arrival.

"I was lucky. If I had been captured, I would have been sentenced to life in prison, at best," he is convinced.

While "Barsik" was undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, the Territorial Defense of "Azov" was restructured into the 3rd Special Operations Brigade. After recovering, he immediately returned to the front with the brigade. At that time, he participated in operations near Bakhmut as an assault soldier.

"It's the most honorable thing to be an assault soldier! Assault soldiers take the most risks. Everything is aimed at them. Everyone wants to kill them – artillerymen, mortarmen, AGS gunners, tankers, drone operators. You only have an automatic rifle, and you are trying to break through the enemy's defenses. That's why being an assault soldier is the most honorable role," Kolovrat states.

Despite having fought for Ukraine for 10 years, Kozhemyakin still does not possess Ukrainian citizenship. All institutions consistently refuse to issue it to him. He has had to reach out to the migration service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the SBU, and even the President's Office, but all to no avail. The volunteer considers this unfair, as those Russians who have chosen Ukraine's side and risk themselves should have the opportunity for legal residence in our country.

"There are things that cannot be done without citizenship. I can't get married, I can't obtain a gun permit. I can't even go to translate my Russian passport and notarize it, as it turns out that I'm illegal here, and I need to cross the border. And since Russia has filed a case against me in Interpol for my pro-Ukrainian position, I can't leave the country," Kolovrat explains.

There are quite a few people from Russia and Belarus who have chosen the right side in this war and are fighting for Ukraine. However, they cannot obtain legal grounds for residency.

"Good Russians are fighting here, against the system," he adds.

He no longer considers Russians to be his own, even though they share the same nationality; for him, they are all strangers in terms of views and life principles. The soldier still has relatives in Russia, but he no longer communicates with them, as political authorities persecute them due to his stance. The only reason "Barsik" would want to return is to see his family. However, he does not wish to return to the Russian Federation and sees his future in Ukraine.

"If I could go back 10 years, I would come to Ukraine again and do everything the same way. Except I would bring a few more people with me!" Kolovrat Kozhemyakin is confident.