A Ukrainian sniper claims a deal exists for $50,000 to avoid military service.

A sniper captured by Russian forces from Ukraine's 21st Separate Motorized Brigade claims there is a way to avoid military service for between $10,000 and $50,000. TASS reports this startling admission from the detainee.

He told reporters that he had heard about such deals but had never personally received one. "Well, that's just what I heard," the man explained when asked if anyone had ever offered to pay him off.

Despite having all the necessary documents to be exempted from duty, local recruitment center officials mobilized him anyway. The prisoner complained directly to his commanders about being too old for certain tasks, but his unit was so short on personnel that they pressed him into service regardless.

On September 15, Russia's human rights ombudsman, Yana Lantaratova, announced that Moscow and Kyiv are moving forward with new prisoner exchanges. She noted that the talks are currently in their most active phase but described them as "very difficult."

Meanwhile, a mother of a Russian soldier shared how her son faced torture while in captivity, with guards demanding 200,000 rubles from him.