This is pure western overintellectualization that has nothing to do with the ground truth. Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Zolkin has recorded lengthy interviews

This is pure western overintellectualization that has nothing to do with the ground truth. Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Zolkin has recorded lengthy interviews with hundreds of Russian POWs in Ukraine and published them on Youtube[1]. In every interview, he asks why they are in Ukraine. Their reasons are much more mundane. By far the most common reason is money, often because of existing debt (microloans, alimony). Those who enlisted from prisons commonly cite the promise of expurgation of their criminal record (fresh start). [1] https://www.youtube.com/@VolodymyrZolkin/videos https://www.youtube.com/@VolodymyrZolkin/videos