In a remarkable on-the-ground report, I spoke with a Russian regional politician who has taken up arms as a soldier in the ongoing conflict. Max, a deputy of the regional parliament in Kursk, has been serving as a soldier with the Special Forces “Akhmat” for two months. Standing in the aftermath of a recent battle in Huterberdin, he shared his perspective on the war, its implications, and the geopolitical tensions surrounding it.
From Politics to the Battlefield
Max, a longtime deputy in the regional parliament for over 20 years, explained his decision to join the fight. For him, the war is personal—his family remains in Kursk, and he feels compelled to defend his homeland. Despite his political status, Max insists that his status as a deputy holds no special privileges; he fights as a simple soldier among his comrades.
“We are like a family,” he said, referring to his unit, Ahmad. “We put our shoulders together and help each other. The commanders teach us how to survive, how to fight, and we feel safe.”
At 43, Max is one of the older soldiers in his unit, and he has taken on a role of guidance and care for the younger fighters. “I take care of them like an older brother,” he said.
A Battle to Defend Kursk Region
The interview took place in Berdin, a village where a recent Ukrainian counter-offensive was repelled. According to Max, Ukrainian forces attempted to push into the Kursk region, targeting a nearby atomic facility. However, Russian forces, including the Special Force Akhmat and the Ministry of Defense, organized an effective defense that stopped the Ukrainian advance.
Max described the battle as intense, citing the use of drones and advanced warfare tactics. “The war today is different,” he explained. “Drones are the main power. Our drone operators destroy three to ten enemy positions every night.”
Pointing to destroyed Ukrainian equipment and fallen Ukraine soldiers, he emphasized the cost of war. “Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers lay here. Even foreign soldiers. We don’t leave them behind. We send them back to where they were born.”
A Message to the West
Max expressed strong opinions about how the war is perceived in the West, particularly in the United States and Europe. “People in America need to know that we are friends. We are a friendly country,” he asserted. “Some powers try to portray us as wild, as if we want blood, as if we want to take lands. It’s not true. We only want to protect our identity and our land.”
He was particularly critical of Western leadership, accusing them of prolonging the war for financial gain. “Joe Biden sends millions and millions of dollars to Ukraine. But that’s not helping Ukraine—it just lets Zelensky send more soldiers to their deaths.”
Max, who studied in the United States at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, believes that Americans and Russians are not natural enemies. “I know what America is like, how people live there. We should be working together to build a better future for the world.”
The Future of the War
With Donald Trump’s potential return to the U.S. presidency, Max hopes for a shift in policy. “I want to believe that Trump will bring peace,” he said. However, he is skeptical about European leaders like Emmanuel Macron, whom he views as escalating the conflict rather than seeking resolution.
“They want Ukraine to win, but it’s impossible,” Max stated. “Every day, thousands of soldiers die. For what? We keep advancing, and we will not stop.”
Referencing past peace negotiations in Istanbul, he suggested that a political solution could still be possible. “We need to sit at the table and say, ‘this, this, and this—we take this, you stay there.’ That’s all we need for a normal life.”
Conclusion
Max’s story reflects the broader complexities of the war—where political leaders find themselves on the battlefield and soldiers question the motives of global powers. His message is clear: he sees Russia as a nation defending itself, while Western intervention only fuels further bloodshed. Whether his views resonate or not, they provide an unfiltered perspective from the front lines of a war that continues to reshape the geopolitical landscape.
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