Why Russians are fighting against Russians in Ukraine

Volunteers tell Sam Kiley why they turned against Vladimir Putin – and how they are happy to kill their countrymen

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Working as an agent for Ukraine and attacking Russia's railways was pretty easy, says Lazzy - a Russian fighting against his own country.

"It's not that complicated. Anyone in Russia can freely buy gasoline - for now, while some refineries still work - and set the railway on fire," he explains.

"Of course, you need to prepare the exit routes. To plan the operation, so to speak. You can't just go for a walk and decide to do it. First, recon, then action. But in fact, anyone can do it." The saboteur burned “several” railway-switching and electrical systems in arson attacks in Russia’s Volga region. The truth, though, is that it was dangerous, and ate away at his nervous system. Which is why he walked across Russia’s border and joined Ukraine’s army to fight against Vladimir Putin.

For the past year, he has been a frontline soldier battling in the shattered rubble of what is now known as the “dead zone”, because it’s so thinly populated by soldiers from both sides, all hiding from enemy drones - with occasional sneak attacks in person.

“I think it’s easier for me here. Because in Russia, I constantly felt fear for my life,” Lazzy says. “Here in Ukraine, FSB and GRU [secret service] networks are not so strong. In Russia, it’s much more dangerous. Also, [in Russia] there are many people who support the regime. Say the wrong word and they will rat on you.”

Lazzy chose to fight Putin’s regime due to what he saw as cronyism, corruption and the destruction of democracy: “Russia must have a future.”