The hotline, which is run by the “I Want to Live” project, has received about 200 to 300 daily calls since September, said Vitaliy Matvienko, the project’s spokesperson.
More than a million Russians have called, texted or visited the website of a Ukrainian hotline that allows them to surrender, with many seeking a way to avoid going to war, since Russia's Instead of calling, some Russians choose to send encrypted messages via Telegram. Altogether, more than 4,000 people have submitted requests to surrender, he said.
Matvienko’s has a face that’s well-known to many Russians, because he acted in a few Russian TV series before the war. That’s why he was offered the role of spokesman of the “I Want to Live” project. Ukrainian officials said Russians who are considering crossing the frontline might want to see someone familiar they can trust on the other side.
The woman sounds like she’s almost in tears as she says her son received a summons to the army at a police checkpoint. The woman asks what she could do. The operator’s advice was to call the hotline once her son was in Ukraine controlled territory. Then they could assess whether he might be able to surrender.PHOTO: Vitaliy Matvienko, spokesperson for the 'I Want to Live' hotline in Ukraine, speaks about the project in Ukraine, on Dec. 10, 2022.
The Russians who follow the surrender rules are legally considered prisoners of war, Ukrainian authorities said. That status guarantees they are treated according to the Geneva conventions and they can receive necessary medical treatment and food. They can also call their relatives. Among those callers were Ukrainian citizens who betrayed their country and fought on the Russian side, she said.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nearly 1,500 Russians killed in last two days of war: Ukraine'They are afraid. You can feel it. And they are right to be afraid. Because they are losing,' Zelensky said.
Read more »
Ukraine says Makiivka HIMARS attack killed 400 Russians: 'Absolute Carnage'The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has also highlighted increasing numbers of Russian casualties in recent days following successful strikes.
Read more »
Ukraine live briefing: Zelensky says Russia seeking to exhaust Ukraine; Russian military facility hitUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is hoping to use Iranian-made drones in a prolonged air campaign that aims to exhaust the Ukrainian people.
Read more »
Russians Rage at Commanders After Missile MassacreRussia’s defense ministry admitted 63 troops were killed in the attack—one of Ukraine’s deadliest strikes of the war.
Read more »
Russian radio host says he wants Kyiv to become 'uninhabitable'Sergey Mardan said he has 'no pity' for the residents of Ukraine.
Read more »