Russian Soldier Uses Cardboard Sign to Surrender to Drone

Ukrainian military units have reported a unique surrender event in the eastern region of Kharkiv. A Russian soldier was detained after displaying a surrender message on cardboard that was spotted by a drone. The 16th Army Corps identified the soldier in the town of Lyman on Wednesday.

The soldier held up a sign reading, "Please take me prisoner, I want to live." Drone pilots relayed instructions for surrender, and the soldier was taken into custody. This incident underscores the role of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern warfare, specifically in facilitating the safe surrender of enemy combatants.

The 16th Army Corps reported that drone pilots discovered the Russian soldier while operating in Lyman. The soldier was seen holding cardboard signs in a window and on the ground. One of the signs contained a direct plea for capture.

According to the translation provided by the Ukrainian state outlet United24, the message read, "Please take me prisoner, I want to live." Following the sighting, the corps stated that the Russian soldier was provided with instructions on how to surrender safely. The operation concluded with the soldier's detention.

Drone footage released by the military corps depicted the sequence of events. The video showed a small building with signs in the window, a figure placing a sign in the window, and a Ukrainian soldier writing instructions on cardboard to be delivered back to the soldier via drone. Ultimately, two Ukrainian soldiers were seen approaching and walking with the Russian soldier.

The surrender was not solely the result of drone surveillance but involved a coordinated effort between different military units. The 16th Army Corps explicitly noted that the operation was aided by the Shkval special forces unit.

This unit belongs to Ukraine's 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. Both the corps and the brigade reported the event, confirming the joint nature of the mission. The use of specialized forces alongside drone technology highlights the tactical integration of technology and personnel in the field.

This event is not an isolated incident regarding the use of drones to facilitate surrenders. Ukrainian units have previously reported various methods used to persuade Russian troops to give up. These methods include playing voice messages through drones and dropping instructions on how to surrender.

In 2022, the Ukrainian army released an instructional video offering step-by-step guidance for Russian soldiers on how to surrender to a drone. Drones have become a ubiquitous tool in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, used by both sides for intelligence gathering and launching attacks.

However, their utility extends to psychological operations. Drones can fly to locations that are too risky for Ukrainian soldiers to approach on foot. This capability makes them particularly effective for communicating with enemy troops who wish to defect or surrender without risking their lives in a firefight.

Ukraine actively encourages opposition soldiers to voluntarily surrender. A key component of this strategy is the "I Want to Live" hotline. Ukrainian officials state that thousands of Russian troops have utilized this service.

The project aims to provide a safe pathway for soldiers who wish to survive the conflict. A spokesperson for the project noted in 2023 that some Russian soldiers who call the hotline have offered to hand over equipment and heavy armored vehicles. The incident in Lyman serves as a visual extension of this surrender encouragement, utilizing technology to bridge the gap between opposing forces.