'Good Russians fight for Ukraine'. What Russian military volunteer 'Barsik' says about the war

As of the beginning of the full-scale invasion, over 200,000 Russians were officially residing in Ukraine. Some former Russian citizens not only condemned the armed aggression of their ex-homeland but also stood in defense of Ukraine alongside Ukrainians. Since 2022, two armed formations have been created: the Freedom of Russia Legion and the RDK. Some Russians have also joined official units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with many fighting on Ukraine’s side since 2014.

Volunteer Kolovrat Kozhemyakin, with the call sign 'Barsik,' is originally from Syktyvkar. His appearance immediately reflects his beliefs and views on life - his body and head are covered with pagan and nationalist tattoos. In 2014, Kolovrat left Russia due to persecution for his nationalist views and pro-Ukrainian stance.

"When the war began, the occupation of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, I already started thinking about switching sides and trying to fight against the Russian regime," says Kolovrat.

His first attempt to enter Ukraine was unsuccessful. 'Barsik' tried to cross through Belarus, but at that time, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) did not grant him permission to cross the border. On his second attempt, after certain checks, he finally managed to arrive. He says he came with one goal - to join the military. Kolovrat considered two options: Azov or Right Sector. Eventually, after a few weeks in Ukraine, he became an Azov fighter.

He came to Ukraine and joined the Azov regiment (photo: Getty Images)

"Azov was a regiment of volunteers. Its nationalism attracted me a lot. That’s why I joined. I was interested in finding people like me - nationalists. Fighters with whom I could connect both ideologically and in combat," Kozhemyakin recalls.

'Barsik' first went to the front in 2014, four days before the Shyrokyne standoff, and later fought in the village of Shyrokyne itself. "I was in reconnaissance. We had several combat missions. It was already a more positional war. We were holding the defense," he says.

For a long time, Azov was not allowed into combat, and most of the time, the fighters spent training at the training ground. Because of this, Kolovrat temporarily left the military and engaged in public activities. However, with the start of the full-scale invasion, he immediately returned. At that time, Azov was in Mariupol, so 'Barsik' joined the Azov Territorial Defense Battalion, which in 2022 defended Kyiv region.

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

The first battles of the Azov TDB were in Bucha. Kolovrat recalls that at that time, they had nothing but rifles and had to go on missions on ordinary buses.

During the defense of Mariupol, volunteers were needed to fly into the blockaded city by helicopter. Those who agreed were warned that it could be a one-way trip. Kolovrat was among the risk-takers. "I agreed immediately and didn’t think about what would happen next. I was from Azov. My friends were there, and I wanted to get there," he says.

A Russian flew in to save Ukrainians. 'Barsik' was not the only one from Russia who went to Mariupol to help Ukrainian soldiers. Another Russian who went to assist Azov fighters was later captured. His fate remains unknown. 'Barsik' was lucky to avoid the capture, but he was wounded and, a week after arriving, was evacuated from Mariupol.

"I got lucky. If I had been captured, I would be in prison for life - at best," he believes.

While 'Barsik' was undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, the 'Azov' TDB was restructured into the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. After recovering, he immediately returned to the front with the brigade, participating in operations near Bakhmut as an assault trooper.

"Being an assault trooper is the most honorable role! The assault trooper takes the most risks. Everything is aimed at him. Everyone wants to kill him - artillerymen, mortar crews, AGS operators, tank crews, drone operators. And all you have is a rifle while trying to break through enemy defenses. That’s why being an assault trooper is the most honorable role," says Kolovrat.

The volunteer has been fighting for Ukraine for 10 years (photo: RBC-Ukraine)

Even though he has been fighting for Ukraine for 10 years, Kozhemyakin still does not have Ukrainian citizenship. Every institution has repeatedly denied his application. He had to appeal to the migration service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the SBU, and even the President’s Office, but to no avail. The volunteer considers it unfair, as Russians who chose Ukraine's side and risk their lives should have opportunities for legal residence in the country.

"There are things you can't do without citizenship. I can't get married, I can't get a firearm permit. I can't even get my Russian passport translated and notarized because, it means officially, I am here illegally, and I need to cross the border. But since Russia has put me on Interpol's list for my pro-Ukrainian stance, I can't leave the country," Kolovrat explains.

Many people from Russia and Belarus chose the right side in this war and are fighting for Ukraine, but they cannot obtain legal residency.

"Good Russians fight here, against the system," he adds.

He no longer considers Russians his own people. Though they share the same nationality, for him, they are all foreign in their views and life principles. The soldier still has relatives in Russia, but he no longer communicates with them, as they are being persecuted by political authorities because of his position. The only reason 'Barsik' would want to go back once is to see his family. But he doesn't want to return to Russia permanently - he sees his future in Ukraine.

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