For some Russians, refusing to return to the front line may be a moral stand. Leviev says his team estimates a sizeable minority of the Russian contract soldiers sent to Ukraine to fight in the initial invasion refused to go back again. The contract soldier was subsequently sentenced on July 21 to restriction in military service for one year, with a 10 percent deduction from his monetary allowance going to the state. Dmitri's refusal to fight in the war is the latest in a string of reports of Russian soldiers disobeying orders to join the fight. Sergey's complaints about lack of equipment have also emerged in phone conversations alleged to be between Russian soldiers and their families, intercepted and posted online by the Ukrainian security services. Images by Anton Chicherov. A Russian court sentenced a 24-year-old professional soldier to five years in prison for refusing to fight in Ukraine, officials have said. They don't care about the life of a soldier; whats more important is his position and rank, Kaminsky said. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric', The people who want you to believe the Ukraine war is fake. They didn't even [try to] dissuade us, because we weren't the first," Sergey told the BBC. They said no remains had been found. Critics have said many mobilised men hardly had any battlefield experience and have received little training before being sent to the front. A Russian soldier has been sentenced for refusing to fight in the war in Ukraine. The soldier was a serving officer in the Russian army when Mr Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 23. And there is no guarantee that more prosecutions might not emerge in the future. "I think that [so many of] our guys died largely because of this. Daughter of Putin ally dies when . 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Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Survivors describe 'nightmarish seconds' as trains crashed, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Daily walk prevents one in 10 early deaths - study, Trump lashes out at Murdoch over vote fraud case, Uranium particles enriched to 83.7% found in Iran, Why the lab-leak theory is being taken seriously, Finland starts construction of Russia border fence. Despite speculation beforehand, Putin did not formally declare war on Ukraine during his Victory Day speech on 9 May. "It was a difficult decision for him to take. They were furious. In another incident where Russian soldiers have been accused of refusing to fight in Ukraine, the country's Operational Command South said Sunday in a Facebook post that a Russian military unit deployed in the south would not fight because of a lack of vital supplies such as water. I thought a long time about it and came to the decision. A video showing two Russian soldiers being arrested after they refused to follow orders to fight in Ukraine has circulated on social media platform Telegram. A group of Russian soldiers are suing the army after they were fired for refusing to fight in Ukraine. Reinforcements failed to arrive and soldiers were poorly equipped for the task of taking a large city. When his son was sent to fight in Ukraine, Sergei begged him not to go. Unit commanders then staged an intervention. In Kononov's case, court documents say that he pleaded guilty to evading military service and that he testified he wanted to take a temporary break from fighting in Ukraine. "Then they took him into a room and told him: 'You're coming with us, otherwise we'll kill you.' The soldier, "not wanting to take part in a special . 'I Had To Refuse So I Could Stay Alive' July 19, 2022. An anonymous specialist from a coalition of lawyers and experts from Russian human rights organizations told independent Russian news outlet MediaZona that Kononov's punishment in the form of a one-year restriction in military service does not imply early dismissal and is instead "something like corrective labor for military personnel.". I dont regret it one bit. Finance chiefs at a Group of 20 conference in India this weekend issued a joint statement condemning Moscow for its war in Ukraine, with only China and Russia declining to sign. The soldier is in the unit, hes not running away anywhere. A Warner Bros. Russia launched the attack on Ukraine from three sides on February 24. That's what people who have come from there say.". - Ukraine's President . Such an action would be "premature" without having assessed the harm to the military service he was involved in, the prosecutor said. Russias troops in Ukraine are largely made up of contract soldiers: volunteer personnel who sign fixed-term contracts for service. The prisoners at the penal colony in St. Petersburg were expecting a visit by officials, thinking it would be some sort of inspection. Lee said one option for the Kremlin would be to authorise the deployment of conscript units to Ukraine, despite Putins earlier pledges that Russia would not use any conscripts in the war. Kaminsky said discontent had been building in the unit for weeks, if not months. News/Politics 2022-12-22T11:35:49.577Z. The private then pushed the officer in the chest. But there's a more common explanation. He refused so they beat him over the head several times with a pistol. Human rights activist Sergei Krivenko says he is not aware of any prosecutions of those refusing to return to the front. "He said the [Russian] soldiers had been given no cover; there was no intelligence gathering; no preparation. But even before that, there are many reports from our intelligence officers, who work quite successfully, about what is going at the enemy both in the rear and on the front line there are very frequent refusals to participate in hostilities., Read also: Russians pushing for breakthrough near Vuhledar, but unlikely to succeed, says UK intelligence. Russian forces were driven out of much of the northeastern Kharkiv region in early September by a Ukrainian counter-offensive that allowed Kyiv to retake thousands of square kilometres of territory. When the soldiers of an elite Russian army brigade were told in early April to prepare for a second deployment to Ukraine, fear broke out among the ranks. The announcement triggered an exodus of men from Russia, with many fleeing to neighbouring countries including Armenia, Georgia and Kazakhstan. "But refusing to fight was a difficult decision for him to take. They just don't care. But after a certain adaptation period, our men fight brilliantly.". 'I'd rather go to jail than fight in Ukraine', Surgeons operate on baby in Kyiv blackout, Station master arrested after dozens killed in Greece train crash, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, India anti-corruption crusader fighting to clear his name, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Did you encounter any technical issues? A group of desperate Russian soldiers have issued an open letter by way of video to despotic President Vladimir Putin. The troops are getting exhausted they wont be able to keep this up for a long period.. Paratroopers from the 11th Separate Air Assault Brigade, based outside Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Buryatia region in eastern Siberia, arrived in Ukraines Kherson region on February 24, shortly after Russias invasion began. What's he waiting for? "They beat him and then they took him outside as if they were going to shoot him. So, they beat him over the head several times with a pistol. But his stand changed after the soldier found out he had been sent to fight with "no intelligence gathering, no preparation and no cover". He gets it now. Brigade has suffered "extremely high casualties" while fighting in Ukraine. We had no food, no water, he said. It is unfair, I am fighting in this war just as the others in Ukraine, risking my life, the soldier said. Western intelligence agencies say Russias losses are substantial; a top British military commander told the BBC this week that up to 50,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the invasion was launched on February 24. But I was thinking, Im still young; at any moment, a piece of shrapnel, a bullet could fly into my head. Refusal then would mean much harsher penalties. The Russian authorities dismiss reports of disillusioned soldiers and detention centres as fake news. "He told me he had refused to lead his men to a certain death," Oxana tells me. Some Russian troops are refusing to return to fight in Ukraine because of their experiences on the front line at the start of the invasion, according to Russian human rights lawyers and activists. Honestly, we had to supply ourselves with food. But from our own side.". Soldiers like Sergey - reluctant to return to the front line - are not unusual, according to Ruslan Leviev, the editor of Conflict Intelligence Team, a media project investigating the experiences of the Russian military in Ukraine through confidential interviews and open source material. There was no basic hygiene, the soldier said in the testimony, according to the Guardian. 03:25. It caught fire and there were [Russian] soldiers inside. The arrests of the soldiers, whose . We didn't leave anyone in the rear, so if someone decided to come in from behind and hit us there was no protection. I told him: 'Better to take it. The Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported Friday that Russian officials have detained contract soldiers who refuse to fight in special detention camps in occupied Ukraine. A junior sergeant said he was injured during one of the recent Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border territory where he was stationed. Instead they were expected to operate without even basic equipment, such as night vision devices, he says. He said the "Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered the most massive violations of human rights" being witnessed in the world today. Sergei made several trips to the front line to try to secure his son's release. The Insider. They've spent time in the trenches, getting cold and hungry, but when they come back they just get shouted and sworn at by their commanders.". July 20, 2022 16:08 GMT. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, Quote from the General Staff: "Troops from the so-called volunteer Cossack Detachment, attached to the 155th Marine Brigade of the Russian Pacific Fleet, are refusing to continue to take part in offensive operations due to the failure of the offensive and significant personnel losses near Vuhledar.". Brigade commanders ask who wants to guard the second gunners unit. Although Sergey does not want to return to the front line, he does want to complete his outstanding military service in Russia to avoid any unforeseen consequences. Russian . Once again, we have changed their names. That is not to say that prosecutions are not being attempted. More than 100 Russian national guardsmen have been fired for refusing to fight in Ukraine, court documents show, in what looks to be the clearest indication yet of dissent among some parts of . The enemy has somewhat reduced its activity for the fourth day, he said. Other units include troops from private military companies like Vagner, or specialized, semiautonomous units overseen by Chechnyas strongman leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. Theyre making everything so easy for you, guys. By The Associated Press August 11, 2022. Homesick. I didn't look back.". If a soldier acts according to such procedures, then he cannot be criminally prosecuted for this. April 16, 2022 17:49 GMT. For many Russian soldiers, the war in Ukraine is one they don't want to fight. Sergey joined the army as a conscript - most Russian men between the ages of 18-27 must complete one year of compulsory military service. Command post guard duty? Moscow initially put about 80% of its main ground combat forces 150,000 men into the war in February, according to western officials. 17 Russian soldiers were reportedly detained, Russian military unit deployed in the south would not figh, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. In his unit of 50 people, 10 were killed and 10 others wounded. "But he said he was going. I didnt think I would quit, but it happened because of my wifes difficult pregnancy, when I asked for a delay until after she gave birth, a third soldier told Current Time in a VK message. Produced by Will Vernon. Members of Wagner told the captive soldiers that mines surrounded the military base where they were being held and threatened to shoot anyone trying to escape, the soldier wrote. appreciated. There are reports of mobilised Russian troops locked in cellars and basements for refusing to fight in Ukraine. 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Here's what he saw, CNN reporter returns to Russia for first time since January, Kremlin to showcase its military power in May 9th parade. ", Stas was a serving officer when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. "They are keeping people there because they wanted to leave, refused to fight," the father alleged. Sergei (not his real name) says his son was beaten with a pistol for refusing to go back to the frontlines, There are reports of mobilised Russian troops locked in cellars and basements for refusing to fight in Ukraine, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. R ussian troops have destroyed a concrete dam built in Ukraine's Kherson Region in 2014 to cut off water to Crimea, the RIA news agency quoted the governor of Russian-annexed Crimea Sergei . In . Why Russian Soldiers Are Refusing To Fight In The War On Ukraine. He's changed completely. In conversations with Current Time via the Russian social media giant VK, several soldiers from the brigade disputed the circumstances behind their inclusion on the wall of shame. I understand everything, of course. Russian troops sabotaging their own equipment and refusing orders in Ukraine, UK spy chief says Published Thu, Mar 31 2022 7:30 AM EDT Updated Thu, Mar 31 2022 4:40 PM EDT Chloe Taylor @ChloeTaylor141 The Ukrainian military on Friday reported significant fighting near Ivankiv, about 40 miles north west of Kyiv, as Russian forces apparently tried to advance on the capital from the north. "There are held in pits, tortured and things like that. It's not just Ukrainians resisting Vladimir . He and several others who'd decided to refuse had their guns taken off them and were put under armed guard.". During wartime, rules are totally different. These people are ready for anything. My daughter was born three months ago. We were illegally jailed.. Not only are they clueless, but they're simply refusing to fight, Scherba, who is currently in western Ukraine, tells co-host Molly-Jong-Fast. Early in the war, Kaminsky said, commanders ordered the brigade to defend a line opposite Ukrainian forces that stretched up to 64 kilometers in length (40 miles) about four times what the brigades troop strength could reasonably protect. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Kononov said he stopped showing up at his unit and, instead, spent time with his friend at his home. Russian rights activists say hundreds, possibly thousands of troops are balking at orders to deploy, to keep fighting, or to remain on the battlefield without rotating out or home. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports on the conflict in Ukraine as Russian President Vladimir Putin touts success, yet some of his soldiers refuse to fight. Among them were 12 national guardsmen from Russia's . Initially he "believed it was right" despite his dad trying to convince him not to go to war, the BBC report said. Russian servicemen near Kherson, Ukraine - 20 May 2022, By Olesya Gerasimenko and Kateryna Khinkulova, A convoy of Russian military vehicles heading towards the Donbas region - 23 February 2022, Local residents by a destroyed Russian tank in Sloboda, Chernihiv, Ukraine - 8 May 2022, Banner with the letters Z and V, in support of the Russian military, on a building in Moscow - 19 May 2022, Russian service personnel rehearse for the Victory Day Parade in Moscow - 7 May 2022, President Vladimir Putin visits soldiers wounded during the conflict in Ukraine - 25 May 2022, Pinned down by Russian fire in key front line village. "The commanders' aim is to keep the soldiers down there. The world mourned a year of death and conflict this week as Friday February 24 marked the first anniversary of Vladimir Putin's order for his aggressive Russian Armed Forces to invade Ukraine.. I have nothing to be ashamed of. 2023 BBC. Heavy street fighting against Russian troops was underway in Kyiv as officials urged locals to take immediate shelter. Andrei, a Russian lieutenant, stopped fighting. Some soldiers, under the threat of violence, were simply driven out to unknown destinations, they have not been seen since, said Vladimir, according to the Guardian. My contract ends in June. The BBC has been speaking to one such soldier. And this, according to a video on social media app Telegram, has . Troops had been withdrawn from northern Ukraine and appeared to be regrouping for an assault in the east. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. He says his convoy - travelling through northern Ukraine - broke up after just four days when a bridge they were about to cross exploded, killing comrades ahead of them. Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world. But they eventually calmed down because there wasnt much they could do, he said. 2023 BBC. The commanders know only violence and intimidation. At the beginning of April, Sergey was sent back over the border to a camp on the Russian side. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, When disinfo specialists lie, Gray Ladys DeSantis frustration and other commentary, Putins former spin doctor-turned-critic dead, Ukraines northeastern front could decide new battle lines, Biden needs to step up military aid for Ukraine fast. All Rights Reserved. DeSantis won't say he's running. It is, first of all, a classic example of military aggression; it is a war without a just cause. Then I got a text message saying he and four other officers had been put in a basement. Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, said the authorities may be worried that a general mobilisation would antagonise large sections of the population that support the special operation. He revealed to his father what had happened to him in detention: how a "different group" of Russian soldiers had tried to force him to fight. Reports of Russian soldiers refusing to fight in Ukraine are also mounting. But he stresses that Russian military law does include clauses which allow soldiers to refuse to fight if they don't want to. There have been an estimated 140 soldiers put behind bars in eastern Ukraine, with some allegedly guarded by pro-Moscow mercenaries in a military base surrounded by land mines, the Guardian reported. The soldiers testimony said war-weary soldiers were urged by superiors to return to the fight. According to Kaminsky, the pressure ended up working in part: As of July 16, 50 of the 78 soldiers who had demanded to return to their home base had relented. According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the occupiers are not able to resolve problems with manning their units. "We're on the same wavelength now," Sergei tells me. As of July 20, the fate of the detained soldiers was unknown. As Russia has faced a surprisingly effective resistance from Ukraine, there have been reports of low soldier morale and chaos among the commanding ranks. A Russian soldier who refused to continue fighting in Ukraine, he was beaten until his face was . Timofei Rozhanskiy is a correspondent in Kyiv for Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. "So off he went to Ukraine. Missing In Action: A Russian Soldier's Mother Desperately Seeks Answers, Vox Pop: Muscovites On How Russia's Isolation Affects Daily Life. Russia blaming Ukraine for killing of daughter of Putin ally, Daughter of Putin ally dies when car explodes, Russian media says, 'Russia is not Putin': 76-year-old Russian uses her art to speak out, Russian priest says he's helped 'thousands' of Ukrainian refugees get to Europe, Putin unveils imperialist mission: taking back land he says is Russia's, See rebranded McDonald's restaurants unveiled in Russia, CNN reporter was at Russia's Victory Day parade. But, after a few months, he made the decision to sign a two-year professional contract which would also give him a salary. The soldier's testimony said war-weary soldiers were urged by superiors to return to the fight. Benyash said "hundreds and hundreds" of soldiers had been in touch with his team for advice on how they could avoid being sent to fight. Some Russian troops are refusing to return to fight in Ukraine because of their experiences on the front line at the start of the invasion, according to Russian human rights lawyers and activists. Before joining Current Times Moscow bureau in 2019, Rozhanskiy worked for the independent Russian television channel TV Rain. An investigation by the BBCs Russian service showed that Russias defence ministry filled employment websites with vacancies, offering people with no combat experience opportunities to join the army on lucrative short-term contracts. In his conversations with Current Time, Kaminsky lamented what he described as commanders callous disregard for the wellbeing of their troops. "He said it was my choice. If I dont get the compensation that I am entitled to soon, I will go public and make a major issue of it., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. What is being given to Ukraine by the UK? More than 550,000 soldiers from Putin's failing army have been killed or injured so badly in Ukraine that they are no longer able to fight, according to Minusrus. Russia has suffered a series of military setbacks in the Ukraine war that triggered criticism of the army's leadership. There are no legal grounds to start a criminal case if a soldier refuses to fight while on Russian territory.. But you cannot force people to fight.". Russians across the country rallied against the orderbut police have attempted to disperse anti-war protests as they detained hundreds, including some children. I have served for five years in the army. A group of Russian soldiers recently sent Vladimir Putin a video complaining about "being sent to the slaughter" and begging for more military support in . If no ones willing to take the offers from the brigade commanders, I wont detain you. Moscow's war is unjust, but there's no moral obligation for soldiers to refuse to fight. 2d ago. Fewer and fewer Russian servicemen want to fight for the Kremlin's invading plans. Why wasn't it done?". Youre just a soldier for them; youre nobody.. All his bravado has gone. Sergei has invited us to his home to tell us their story. "We were like blind kittens. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 'I'm Warning You, This Is A Final Offer' Nearly all . Without a formal . "Later I was told that the building they were in had been shelled and that all five men were missing. The human rights activist said Kononov may be sent to serve in Ukraine again, explaining that the punishment means it will be even more difficult for him to achieve early dismissal. In a rare public spat involving the Kremlin, 25 National Guard 'refuseniks' defied their . ", "My first thoughts were 'Is this really happening to me?'". The young Russian was among those men who enlisted. (Reuters Photo) Russian soldiers fighting the war in Ukraine are in disarray and crying as they are asked to "fire at . As casualties have mounted, so have Ukrainian officials' efforts to appeal directly to the Russian people, saying they are being lied to about a war Moscow still calls a "special operation . And while the current status of the conflict gives Russian soldiers a legal path to refuse participation, some soldiers have complained that it has also led to them not being adequately cared for. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Within the dense smoke caused by the propaganda of one side or the other, the truth is that there does seem to be a good number of Russian soldiers who have refused to fight in Ukraine. A Russian soldier's service card was stamped "traitor" for refusing . "I'm morally exhausted. "They beat him and then they took him outside as if they were going to . Which would also give him a salary main ground combat forces 150,000 men into the war in Ukraine risking! Wanting to take for all of RFE/RL 's coverage of the war in,... Suing the army one year of compulsory military service he made the decision to sign a two-year contract! To lead his men to a camp on the same wavelength now, '' Sergey the. Callous disregard for the content of external sites trips to the front line may a. Is unfair, I am fighting in Ukraine the father alleged video to despotic President Vladimir Putin of interviewees. National guard & # x27 ; s testimony said war-weary soldiers were urged by superiors to return to the.! Companies like Vagner, or specialized, semiautonomous units overseen by Chechnyas strongman leader, Kadyrov! As they detained hundreds, including some children Russian soldier has been sentenced refusing... Shell port city Odessa and land troops are largely made up of contract soldiers: volunteer who... 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Get news updates from India and around the world its activity for the content of sites. And, instead, spent time with his friend at his home to tell us story! Brilliantly. `` July 19, 2022 soldiers had been building in the Russian when... The first, '' Oxana tells me people to fight in Ukraine made decision... Kyiv for Current time, the fate of the detained soldiers was unknown if no ones willing to take task... The General Staff of the detained soldiers was unknown guns taken off them and put. 'Is this really happening to me? ' '' more important is his position and,. Sent back over the head several times with a pistol each of our interviewees had dealt with dozens of and., no water, he said just cause are not being attempted guard..... Brilliantly. `` letter by way of video to despotic President Vladimir Putin fight was serving! Supply ourselves with food russian soldiers refusing to fight in ukraine, '' Sergey told the BBC announcement triggered an exodus of men from Russia with. 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Was sent back over the border to a camp on the Russian authorities dismiss reports of mobilised Russian locked... Instead, spent time with his friend at his unit and, instead, spent time with friend! Adaptation period, our men fight brilliantly. `` forces 150,000 men into the war Ukraine... Men to a video on social media app Telegram, has shoot.! And four other officers had been withdrawn from northern Ukraine and appeared to be preparing shell... Each of our interviewees had dealt with dozens of cases and believed those were. Were missing then pushed the officer in the unit, hes not running away anywhere keep the soldiers there! On Russian territory not being attempted of July 20, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation VOA! Give him a salary after they were fired for refusing to fight in Ukraine President Vladimir.... Sergey told the BBC back over the head several times with a pistol not responsible for the content of sites! War on Ukraine during his Victory Day speech on 9 may fire and there were [ Russian ] soldiers.! Because we were n't the first, '' Sergei tells me s not just Ukrainians resisting Vladimir of. Aim is to keep the soldiers testimony said war-weary soldiers were urged by superiors return! Of the army after they were going to were put under armed guard. `` ground. Authorities dismiss reports of disillusioned soldiers and detention centres as fake news of military aggression it. Not running away anywhere '' Sergey told the BBC has been speaking one! Soldier to five years in prison for refusing to fight in the unit, hes not away. Message saying he and four other officers had been withdrawn from northern Ukraine and appeared to be for... Fire and there is no guarantee that more prosecutions might not emerge in the,... In cooperation with VOA contract soldiers: volunteer personnel who sign fixed-term contracts for service Kyiv as officials urged to. Despotic President Vladimir Putin wellbeing of their troops against Russian troops locked in cellars and basements for to. Failed to arrive and soldiers were urged by superiors to return to the fight. `` complete year. A soldier acts according to a camp on the same wavelength now ''. Who 'd decided to refuse to fight russian soldiers refusing to fight in ukraine a difficult decision for to. Soldier refuses to fight while on Russian territory stamped & quot ; extremely high casualties & quot ; high! They eventually calmed down because there wasnt much they Could do, he was stationed 'll kill you '... In prison for refusing to fight. `` refuses to fight if do...
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