Russia at this point is pretty well known for recruiting prisoners as soldiers. A couple months ago a video of Wagner recruiting convicts went viral. They were promising freedom, which is probably what they promised this Zambian citizen as well.
As far as I can figure, everyone's just drawing back and making preparations for winter warfare. Both Ukraine and Russia have harsh winters and they both know they have to prepare for the coming months. Nobody is expecting the war to be over soon. Kherson was a good objective for Russia but now...