Herik Ferreira Soares, a 23-year-old Brazilian, appears crying in a video after being captured by Russian forces in Ukraine. He claims he was misled about his role in the conflict.
Herik Ferreira Soares, from Pará, recorded a video in which he says he agreed to go to Ukraine for a support role away from combat. According to him, the promise was not kept and he was sent to the front line.
In the video, the young man asks his mother for forgiveness and warns other foreigners. “Mother, forgive me for not listening to what you said and for returning to this hell”, he stated. He describes foreigners as “disposable” by Ukrainian forces and mentions Brazilians, Colombians, Peruvians and Argentines.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is monitoring the case through the embassy in Moscow and is in contact with the family. Itamaraty provides consular assistance but has not released details on the detention or repatriation talks.