Ukraine’s army issued an instructional video on Monday with a step-by-step guide for Russian soldiers on how to surrender to one of its drones.
The video comes as part of Ukraine’s “I want to live” project, a hotline that encourages Russians who are reluctant to fight in Ukraine to surrender.
The video which is spoken in Russian, shows three men in uniform and white armbands in which a trench within a snowy landscape. From there, they are led to Ukrainian captivity by a small red quadcopter.
The footage suggests that the role of unmanned areal vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, on the Ukrainian battlefield is rapidly expanding, even to the sensitive area of surrender.
The vide claims to make the capture process more secure.
Russian troops who want to surrender are instructed to contact the “I Want to Live” hotline to arrange the time and place of the meeting ahead of time. “Once verified, go to the exact place at the exact time indicated,” the video says.
Given the short flight time of a drone, the video notes, “the accuracy and timeliness of arrival is critical.”
Once in place, surrendering soldiers are told to wait for the drone to appear- or for further instructions.
“Seeing the drone in the field of view, make eye contact with it,” the video instructs. Soldiers should then raise their arms and signal they’re ready to follow.
After that the drone will move up and down a few metres, before heading off at walking pace in the direction of the nearest representatives of Ukraine’s army,” it says.
The video also warns that the drone’s batteries may run low, in which case it will head back to base and the soldiers must stay put and wait for a fresh one.
That one, too, should be met with eye contact and raised arms.
The video shows the three uniformed men finally meeting with Ukrainian soldiers with their hands held high, whereupon they lie face down in order to be searched.
“Russian soldiers, keep this instruction for yourself,” the video advises. “Distribute it among your colleagues and acquaintances. Save more lives.”
Ukraine claims the service has received thousands of inquiries from Russians. Insider couldn’t verify the number.
Source: Business Insider, Ukrainska Pravda, Local Today, image from Twitter: @GreenJeanASSET