**Russian Mercenary Sent to Die in Ukraine Wearing Tourist Mat Armor**
On a cold October morning in 2024, Ukrainian soldiers stumbled upon a lone survivor in a trench near Spirne, a small village in eastern Ukraine. The man they found was wearing a peculiar piece of armor made of tourist sleeping mats sewn together – a makeshift attempt at protection that resembled a child’s cartoon costume more than military gear. This man was Li Won Chol, once hailed as a hero during Russia’s so-called Russian Spring in Ukraine, now the sole survivor of another failed assault orchestrated by his Russian superiors.
**A Decade of Deception and Desperation**
Li Won Chol’s story, which began in March 2014 when he raised the Russian flag atop a building in Luhansk, reflects the broader narrative of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Initially celebrated as a champion of a supposed popular uprising, Li Won Chol soon found himself complicit in capturing Ukrainian cities he had once vowed to defend. As the conflict escalated, he witnessed the brutal reality of Russia’s military invasion, leading to devastating losses and a crisis of conscience.
**Unraveling the Deception: A Tale of Manipulation and Betrayal**
In a revealing interview with Ukrainian military journalist Yurii Butusov, Li Won Chol’s account sheds light on how Russia exploited local collaborators to pave the way for invasion, only to discard them once their usefulness expired. From encounters with Russian operatives on social media to commanding a mortar unit shelling Ukrainian forces, Li Won Chol’s journey exposes the intricate web of deception and manipulation orchestrated by his Russian handlers.
**The Price of Loyalty: From Hero to Deserter**
Despite his initial fervor for the Russian cause, Li Won Chol’s loyalty wavered as the true costs of war became apparent. Witnessing the destruction and senseless loss of life, he eventually deserted, seeking refuge in the very city he once fought to control. His reflections on the brutality of war, the manipulation by Russian commanders, and the devastating toll on both sides offer a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict.
**A Last Stand in Tourist Armor: A Tale of Survival and Surrender**
The most harrowing chapter of Li Won Chol’s saga unfolds in his final battle, a suicide mission clad in tourist mats as armor. Sent on a near-certain death mission, he found himself fighting for survival against overwhelming odds. His eventual surrender to Ukrainian forces, after being abandoned by his Russian comrades, symbolizes a stark reversal of fortunes – from a fervent supporter of Russian intervention to a prisoner of war saved by those he once fought against.
Li Won Chol’s journey serves as a cautionary tale of the harsh realities of war, the consequences of blind loyalty, and the ultimate price paid by those entangled in the machinations of conflict. As he grapples with the aftermath of his choices, his story stands as a testament to the fragile line between heroism and betrayal in the tumultuous landscape of war-torn Ukraine.
