Volunteers for Victory

Russian ‘men-on-the-street’ join fight against Ukrainian nationalists

These Russian men couldn’t just stand and watch when their country needed them. Every day, hundreds of ordinary men volunteer for the Special Military Operation in Ukraine. From Siberia to Krasnodar region, volunteers from all walks of life are stepping up. Why are they willing to fight? Can a 60-year-old man or someone with no military experience volunteer to serve?

The documentary tells the stories of four men who volunteered to join the Russian armed forces to take part in the special military operation. See how volunteer battalions are formed, what combat training is like and how men like programmers, businessmen and labourers make the decision. Some say they had previous combat experience and couldn’t remain idle. Others expected to be drafted but never were, so they volunteered. “Volunteers for Victory” also reveals the Salavat Yulayev battalion, “BARS-16”, a Kuban cossack unit and the “Tiger” battalion.