Hungarian fighter for Russian-backed forces released without charges

A 52-year-old Hungarian citizen who fought for the Russian-backed forces in Donbas, and voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian law enforcement, was released without criminal charges filed, the prosecutor’s office of the Donetsk oblast reported on April 5. He joined the forces in November 2014 and served in an armed battalion, earning RUB 15,000 a month. “In February this year, the individual became disappointed with the activity of the terrorists, left the illegal armed formation and arrive in the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, where he voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement,” the statement said.

Zenon Zawada: This incident serves as further evidence that the morale of the Russian-backed forces is low. Similar testimonies have surfaced in recent weeks and they lend credence to the claims of volunteer battalions that they’d be able to retake control of the occupied territory if given the chance. The effects of the economic war that is currently being waged between Russia and its opponents are most acutely felt in the Donbas region, which is affecting the morale of the Russian-backed forces in particular.