"I was young and stupid." A Russian soldier refused to fight in Ukraine

I left the army a long time ago, but I have to come to the unit every morning. Although I returned my military uniform in September, I am required to attend in civilian clothes. Then I will do my job. Nobody asks me anything, nobody says anything. I participate every day Fucking show.

You signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense in 2021. Why? This is a good question. Maybe from inability.

I was released from active duty moments ago. I didn’t have a job and didn’t know where to go with my secondary vocational studies in refrigeration equipment installation and operation. The officers at the training unit convinced me to sign the contract. They said everything would be fine: “You won’t have to do anything” and “You’ll get some money,” 30 grand. Rubles (at today’s exchange rate: 1.3 thousand Polish zlotys).

Of course, it cannot be compared to current conditions, but it was a normal salary. I thought I would sit and serve my sentence and wait a few years and see what happens next. Anyway, I was convinced.

Did you think that in 2022 what started would start? of course not. I guess I was young and stupid. But I must admit that experienced people did not think so either.

Write a report, hand in your uniform and leave

For obvious reasons (Under Russian law, any negative statement about the war is treated as defamation of the army — Ed.) I can’t say what I was thinking on February 24th. I was sure that I would not participate in it and that the contract would expire and I would resign and return to civilian life. Ultimately, it wasn’t about my opinions: I just didn’t like the service.

Yes, already in the first days of the “Special Operation” I received an offer to go to the front. I said I won’t go. There were no problems. The chiefs at the time believed that if one did not go, they would send another. And this is what happened. My fellow soldiers started dying. But they didn’t touch me.

My contract with the Ministry of Defense was valid until February 2023, but I submitted my report earlier, in September 2022. I had to return to my family: my mother had problems with alcohol, and my sister was sent to an orphanage. I wanted to help them.

My bosses didn’t mind. — Write a report, hand in your uniform and leave – said the commander. So I did. On September 19, they issued a decision to dismiss me. On September 21, Putin announced partial mobilization.

I managed to bring back my wife, who moved with me from Kirov to the Khabarovsk Territory, and sell my things. Then I received a call: “Come to headquarters.” I had to. I thought I had to sign one last document and say goodbye. But at the police station I heard it The decision was reversed and I was reinstated and must continue my service.

Stringer/AFP

Russians were drafted into the army as part of partial mobilization. October 2022

Presidential decree

To all my questions – how, why and on what basis? -The answer was the same: Decree of the President of the Russian Federation. I said I wouldn’t fight anywhere. Nothing happened for months. In February, my contract officially ended (although five months earlier the Army had signed an order terminating me), but instead of being dismissed, I was informed that I had to go to the Northwestern Military District, and if I did not do so, I would be dismissed with a disciplinary notice “Tendency to betrayal, lying and deceit” In my military book.

I refused again. I’m not going to lie – first and foremost, I thought about myself and fought for myself. But my right not to die is also my right not to be killed. I just don’t want anyone to die.

It is worth noting here that I wasn’t the only one who wanted to leave contract service. Practically everyone wanted it. Many wrote such statements, but they had to stay. And now many of them are dead.

In the second half of March, I was summoned to the prosecutor’s office for an informal conversation. The prosecutor gave me “fatherly” advice. He said: “Go to war before the case starts and everything will be normal.” I answered so Nothing will be normal. On March 28, services began Criminal case against me.

Continued article below the video

Pizza supplier to the army

I would like to confirm that I was discharged in September 2022. I have appealed. – You signed this order yourselves, I have officially terminated my service – I said. But in response I heard two words again: “Presidential decree.” At that time I wasn’t actually in the army, but I was working as a delivery man. Once I received an order for my unit – I brought the commander a pizza.

Then there was a military court and they sentenced me… Two and a half years in a penal colony.

My lawyer and I have filed an appeal, so I’m free now. I go to the unit in the morning, listen to the national anthem and the priest’s prayer. I don’t do anything else.

My wife is next to me. We’ve known each other since high school. We got married when I was already on active duty. He’s been with me since the day it all started. If I go to prison, she promises to wait. I don’t regret anything, it was worth resisting. alive. I didn’t kill anyone. This is the most important.

Sigmund Shortle

“Coffee enthusiast. Troublemaker. Incurable introvert. Subtly charming twitter scholar. Award-winning social mediaholic. Internet buff.”

“I was young and stupid.” A Russian soldier refused to fight in Ukraine

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“I was young and stupid.” A Russian soldier refused to fight in Ukraine

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