Captured Russian Soldier Admits He’s ‘100% Wrong’ About Ukraine Invasion: ‘I Feel Shame’

A Russian commander captured by the Ukrainian army said he "felt shame" over Russia's invasion of its western neighbor after he saw his favorite boxers from Ukraine take up arms to protect their home.

The officer, who identified himself as Lt. Col. Astakhov Dmitry Mikhailovich of the Russian national guard's special rapid response unit, said he and his men were told that Ukraine "was dominated by a fascist regime" and that "nationalists and Nazis had seized power," the New York Post reported.

However, Mikhailovich later realized he was "100% wrong" after he saw that his favorite boxers, Ukrainians Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko, were planning to fight against Russia, according to The Telegraph.

"They are my favorite, I mean that when I say it. These people are just ready to take arms, and they said: 'We didn't call you here.' And I feel shame that we came to this country, to this territory, Ukraine's territory," Mikhailovich told the media at a Thursday press conference hosted by the Kyiv-based Ukrainian Independent Information Agency of News.

Usyk, 35, joined a territorial defense battalion in Ukraine following Russia's invasion of his country.

"It is my duty to fight, to defend my home, my family," the world heavyweight champion was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Lomachenko, a former world featherweight and lightweight champion and a friend of Usyk, also joined a territorial defense battalion.

Mikhailovich acknowledged that Russia's invasion, which started on Feb. 24, has "brought sorrow to this land," a report by News.com.au said.

He said he felt "sorry" for his people back home in Russia as they were "misinformed."

"Some do not even have internet. They have no alternative (to state media). They are constantly brainwashed," Mikhailovich explained.

The officer has since asked for "mercy" from Ukrainians for the soldiers sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We will go to jail or whatever we deserve. We’re ready for anything," Mikhailovich said.

Additionally, the officer urged his fellow soldiers to stop the fighting as he believes "Russia cannot win here."

"If someone came to my territory, I would do the same as these people did and I would be right. They are right now," he said.

Mikhailovich was among the three supposed captured Russian prisoners present during Thursday's press conference.

He insisted that he was speaking freely and that his remarks were neither pre-scripted nor were they the result of pressure or intimidation from his Ukrainian captors.