A Ukrainian teenager, Alexander Mustyatsé, who was reported missing…
A Ukrainian teenager, Alexander Mustyatsé, who was reported missing in 2022 after Russian forces occupied his hometown of Krynky in Kherson Oblast, was found in 2026 serving in the Russian Armed Forces. He confirmed he had joined Russia's military after turning 18 and stated that 'Russia has always been in my heart,' according to multiple sources.
Consensus
- Alexander Mustyatsé was a Ukrainian teenager who went missing in 2022 when Russian forces occupied his hometown of Krynky, Kherson Oblast.
- He was officially listed as missing by Ukrainian authorities and included in the government's 'Children of War' registry.
- In 2026, Ukrainian activist group Back to Ukraine located him through social media and confirmed he was serving in the Russian Armed Forces.
- Mustyatsé, now 19 years old, was found to be actively participating in combat operations against Ukraine.
- He was seen in photographs wearing Russian military uniform with the Z symbol and Russian flag, and posted images from frontline positions.
- He responded to inquiries from activists with the statement: 'So I’m always on my side. Russia has always been in my heart.'
- He was reported to have been wounded in combat and treated at the Burdenko Military Hospital in Moscow.
- Mustyatsé remains listed as missing in Ukraine’s official registry but has been added to the Ukrainian website 'Mirotvorets' as a participant in Russia’s aggression.
- Multiple sources, including Back to Ukraine and Save Ukraine, describe this as the first known case of a missing Ukrainian child who, after reaching adulthood, joined the Russian military.
Points of divergence
- The British newspaper The Times reported that the teenager voluntarily joined the Russian Armed Forces after turning 18. — riamo
- Back to Ukraine found Mustyatsé's VK page in November 2025, which was later deactivated, leading them to believe he might have died. — meduza
- The head of Save Ukraine and former Ukrainian ombudsman for children's rights, Mykola Kuleba, stated this is the first known case of such a situation. — tg_echoonline_news
- The article states that Mustyatsé was found in the Russian military and had been wounded during a battle, with treatment at the Burdenko Hospital. — kommerant
- The article claims the village of Krynky was cleared of Ukrainian forces in February 2024. — vesti
- The article states that Mustyatsé's VK profile had not been updated since November 16, 2025, and that activists believed he might have died. — tg_astrapress
- The article suggests that the Russian authorities may have taken away the boy's Ukrainian childhood and life, implying a deliberate process of erasure. — tg_theinsider
- The article states that Back to Ukraine attempted to contact Mustyatsé directly and received only two sentences in response. — tg_sotavisionmedia
Coverage (8 sources)
- The Times: missing teenager in Ukraine joined the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — РИАМО
- Project Back to Ukraine told the story of Alexander Mustyatsa — a Ukrainian teenager who became a Russian soldier. At 14 he found himself under occupation. At 19 he calls Russia his country — Meduza
- Ukrainian teenager, who was thought to be missing, participates in the war on Russia's side — ЭХО / Новости
- Times: Ukrainian teenager missing since 2022 found in ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — Коммерсантъ
- Teenager sought by Ukrainian activists has grown up and is fighting on the side of the Russian Federation — Вести
- A Ukrainian teenager thought to be missing after reaching adulthood was found in the ranks of the Russian Federation Army and is fighting against Ukraine. Rights... — ASTRA
- The missing Ukrainian teenager was found in the Russian army, he is fighting against Ukraine. Activists say this is the first of... — The Insider
- A Ukrainian child considered missing after coming of age is fighting against Ukraine. Human rights defenders claim that this is... — SOTAvision
Key entities
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Kryanki
- Kherson Oblast
- Alexandr Mustyats
- The Times
- VS
- Александр Мустяцэ
- Armed Forces
- Moscow
- Media
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
- Tsargrad
- Back to Ukraine
- Андрей Украинский