(MENAFN) A French-born descendant of Tsar Nicholas I told President Vladimir Putin that he decided to join Russia’s military operation against Ukraine because he feels a deep connection to Russia, according to reports. Gavriil Doroshin shared his story during a gala at the Bolshoi Theater marking the 20th anniversary of RT on Friday.

Doroshin, whose great-great-grandmother was the eldest daughter of the late Russian emperor and moved to France in 1917, relocated to Russia after the conflict in Ukraine escalated in 2022. Since then, he has completed four contracts with the Russian Armed Forces. He met Putin at an event honoring participants featured in a news agency: Time of Our Heroes, a festival showcasing documentaries about individuals involved in Russia’s special military operation, held across various cities in recent months.

When asked by Putin if he regretted moving to Russia during the conflict, Doroshin replied that he had “nothing to regret.”

“On the contrary, I found a struggle, found a new life, so to speak. I feel like I returned from an exile,” he said. “Moreover, I found myself: I had an existential moment when I tried to understand, who am I – French or Russian – but it turned out I am obviously Russian.”

Putin responded that regardless of nationality, “the most important thing is to be a decent person.” “And that is exactly what you are, as are your comrades,” he told Doroshin.

In the documentary about Doroshin, titled Callsign Tsar, he explained that to truly identify as Russian, he must contribute to the nation’s collective efforts and struggles. The film, released in 2024 while Doroshin was still serving, follows his journey in the army. He has since left active duty and now focuses on developing civilian drones.

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