A captured Russian commander has spoken of his “shame” for his involvement in the war in Ukraine, as he begged for forgiveness.
Lieutenant Colonel Astakhov Dmitry Mikhailovich said he and his comrades were lied to and understood if his homeland was hated for the brutal invasion.
Speaking during a conference alongside two other captured Russians, he said: “I cannot find the words to say sorry to the Ukrainian people.
“I just sincerely hope for your mercy towards those people who come to you with their hands up, or those who are wounded. We should not sow death. It's better to sow life."
“I don't know why we were doing it. We knew very little. We brought sorrow to this land."
He added that he was prepared to go to jail for his part in the war on their peaceful neighbours.
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The Lt Col is believed to be the most senior Russian officer to so far speak out against the atrocities levelled at Ukraine since Putin ordered the invasion last month.
He told reporters the order had taken him by surprise and that he and his men had been lied to about the situation in Ukraine.
The press conference was held last week but was widely shared on Monday.
The prisoner of war added: "For those who would watch this video: you might think about me whatever you want, that I was forced, intimidated or the text was prepared in advance, whatever.
"I'll give it to you straight. If someone came to my territory I would do the same [as these] people did.
"They (Ukrainians) [said] 'we didn't call you here…I feel shame that we came to this country.
“I feel sorry for people left in Russia …they are not guilty. Their guilt is that they are misinformed.
"Some do not even have internet. They have no chance to use something alternative. They are constantly brain-washed.
"They get this unilateral information that Ukraine is seized by fascists."
Earlier in the war another captured Russian soldier begged his mum to tell people the truth about the Ukraine invasion in a heartbreaking phone call.
The POW was seen crying as he described how Vladimir Putin's forces had bombed kindergartens and hospitals .
He told his mum to spread the word of what is really going on back home - where government propaganda is rife.
In the footage, the soldier is seen rocking back and forth in his chair during the video call.
He tells his mum to use social media so "as many people as possible" know what the Kremlin attacks look like.
He said "Life has been peaceful here before our president started all of this.”
