"It was a difficult decision for him to take. Second, the conduct of the war by Russian forces violates the most . The enemy has somewhat reduced its activity for the fourth day, he said. 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. The Institute for the Study of War said on 14 February that the deployment of conscripted servicemen by Russian troops is unlikely to create sufficient offensive potential for a large-scale and rapid mechanised offensive. For some Russians, refusing to return to the front line may be a moral stand. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Hundreds were discharged after refusing to take part in the invasion, the Guardian previously reported. Hes not refusing to carry out orders, so the article on insubordination or disobeying orders isnt relevant either, because hes not refusing to do so, he said. Separately, a military tribunal said it sentenced Kandarov to five years behind bars for evading military service during mobilisation for more than a month. Boris Johnson's cabinet received an update from a senior national security official on Tuesday morning. - Ukraine's President . 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. The man narrated the ordeal his son suffered to the BBC, saying that he had begged his son not to go. His unit moved on through the Ukrainian countryside, but there was a clear lack of strategy, he says. One commander in northern Russia requested a criminal case be brought against his subordinate who would not return to Ukraine, but a military prosecutor refused to proceed, according to documents seen by the BBC. In October, a new general was appointed to lead Russia's offensive. 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. Im warning you, this is a final offer, he is heard telling the soldiers. 'You're Nobody' He and several others who'd decided to refuse had their guns taken off them and were put under armed guard.". "It was blown up from a grenade launcher or something else. We were illegally jailed.. 2023 BBC. . Among them were 12 national guardsmen from Russias southern city of Krasnodar who were fired after refusing to go to Ukraine. But you have until 6 p.m. today. Read about our approach to external linking. '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. And that, unfortunately, life would prove that.". Jan 27, 2023. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Independent Russian media have also been reporting hundreds of cases of soldiers refusing repeat deployments to Ukraine since the beginning of April. 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. Such an action would be "premature" without having assessed the harm to the military service he was involved in, the prosecutor said. People in Kyiv are being warned of street fighting and "subversive groups" on the third day of the Russian invasion, with reports of 198 Ukrainians dead nationwide since troops first crossed the . In another incident, Sergey says he had to overtake comrades trapped inside a burning vehicle in front of him. 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. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! We didn't leave anyone in the rear, so if someone decided to come in from behind and hit us there was no protection. "Pictures of Russian vehicles running out of fuel and casualties being abandoned where they . Sergey joined the army as a conscript - most Russian men between the ages of 18-27 must complete one year of compulsory military service. It is, first of all, a classic example of military aggression; it is a war without a just cause. "They beat him and then they took him outside as if they were going to shoot him. Newsweek was unable to independently verify those claims but reached out to Russia's foreign ministry for comment. President Vladimir Putin had on September 21 ordered a mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of Russians to fight in Ukraine, sparking protests and an exodus of eligible men from the country. The Kremlin has declined to call for a general mobilization to replenish lost troops, instead using what analysts have described a covert, hybrid campaign to recruit fresh troops: using private military companies, extended age limitations, lucrative financial incentives, and sometimes coercive persuasion to bolster the ranks. Heavy street fighting against Russian troops was underway in Kyiv as officials urged locals to take immediate shelter. These people are ready for anything. A Russian soldier has been sentenced for refusing to fight in the war in Ukraine. But he stresses that Russian military law does include clauses which allow soldiers to refuse to fight if they don't want to. The soldier's testimony said war-weary soldiers were urged by superiors to return to the fight. "We're on the same wavelength now," Sergei tells me. His superiors argued that he should not be given the monetary compensation of up to 2,500 that wounded Russians are entitled to by law because his injury took place on Russian soil meaning it did not fall under the rules of Russias special military operation. 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.". This story has been shared 102,045 times. It is unfair, I am fighting in this war just as the others in Ukraine, risking my life, the soldier said. My daughter was born three months ago. Under Russian military rules, troops who refuse to fight in Ukraine can face dismissal but cannot be prosecuted, said Mikhail Benyash, a lawyer who has been advising soldiers who choose that option. "They beat him and then they took him outside as if they were going to . In all, 78 soldiers including Kaminsky openly challenged his orders, and demanded to be either sent home or reassigned, he said. Soldiers with the 127th Regiment of the 1st Army Corps rioted, according to the operational command. 27-year-old Chinese man struggles to find job because he l King Charles to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage so he can give it to Andrew, 'Elvis' star Austin Butler was rushed to ER after 'body just started shutting down', Woke Chicago mayor loses re-election bid as city battles crime epidemic, King Charles evicting Harry, Meghan from Frogmore Cottage, giving to Andrew, Hoda Kotbs lengthy Today show absence caused by family health matter, Ed Sheerans wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with tumor during pregnancy, Heroic bus driver saves student from passing car, Savannah Guthrie Rushed Out Of Today After Testing Positive For COVID-19 During Live Broadcast, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry have first night out since bombshell 'Spare' released. By Robert Coalson. 'I Had To Refuse So I Could Stay Alive' They made him lie on the ground and told him to count to ten. Ukraine's Operational Command South reported in a . VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Instead they were expected to operate without even basic equipment, such as night vision devices, he says. I will serve my remaining time and then I am out of here, he said. I told him: 'Better to take it. There are reports of mobilised Russian troops locked in cellars and basements for refusing to fight in Ukraine. Rumours abound of some Russian soldiers defying orders and refusing to cross into Ukraine to fight. Troops are saying no to officers, knowing that punishment is light while Russia is not technically at war. 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He simply declares that he has anti-war convictions. 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. It's absurd. During wartime, rules are totally different. The code has been copied to your clipboard. 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. Human rights activist Sergei Krivenko says he is not aware of any prosecutions of those refusing to return to the front. Stas, an army officer, had written a letter to the . And there is no guarantee that more prosecutions might not emerge in the future. Brigade commanders ask who wants to guard the second gunners unit. But his stand changed after the soldier found out he had been sent to fight with "no intelligence gathering, no preparation and no cover". My contract ends in June. 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. The troops are getting exhausted they wont be able to keep this up for a long period.. Id rather bury you on the front line, on the line of defense, than give up my position, he said, describing the sentiments of his commanders. April 7, 2022. Ukrainian soldiers move on the road in the freed territory in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Ukrainian media claims a "riot" broke out on the warships, based in nearby Crimea.. At the same time, a number of Russian helicopters and drones were flying over Luzanivka beach, preparing for landing.. But you cannot force people to fight.". 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. Argument | Michael Walzer. 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. Hundreds of Russian soldiers have refused to fight or fled their posts since the war in Ukraine began, according to report published Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal. The way my son was treated wasn't only illegal, it was inhuman.". The men, who belonged to the key headquarters of the Pskov . Before joining Current Times Moscow bureau in 2019, Rozhanskiy worked for the independent Russian television channel TV Rain. Produced by Will Vernon. He managed to contact his mother, Oxana, back in Russia to tell her what was going on. 2d ago. Sergey is just one of hundreds of Russian soldiers understood to have been seeking such advice. Russian military regulations provide some legal justification and procedures for soldiers who disobey orders, according to Sergei Krivenko, a rights activist -- particularly for those who state they are anti-war, or pacifists. 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. So, they beat him over the head several times with a pistol. But there's a more common explanation. 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. (Reuters Photo) Russian soldiers fighting the war in Ukraine are in disarray and crying as they are asked to "fire at . July 19, 2022. For that they sent my son to a detention centre. Russian resistance is growing against Putin's war. UK intelligence estimates Russian losses near Vuhledar, Russians pushing for breakthrough near Vuhledar, but unlikely to succeed, says UK intelligence, Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85, A condition called POTS rose after covid, but patients can't find care, Drones fly deep inside Russia; Putin orders border tightened, Rep. Lauren Boebert Gets Absolutely Schooled By Jamie Raskin Using Trump's Own Words, Russia redeploys unit of brigade created for war against Chechen Republic of Ichkeria near Vuhledar, Ukrainian Forces Demobilize Russian Tanks Near Frontline Town, Irkutsk conscripts appeal to Putin for third time for being sent to war without training, Multiple Russian Armored Vehicles Destroyed in Single Battle, Ukrainian Brigade Says, The mysterious death of Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrovs favorite fighter. Dmytrashkivskyi added the Russians had carried out 15 assaults over the past day, while the same number stood at 60 assaults per day a month ago. Our commanders didnt even argue with us because we were not the first ones to leave, Bokov said. 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. Vladimir Putins forces launched an invasion of Ukraine in February but never formally declared war, meaning soldiers can be fired but shouldnt be jailed, an attorney who has represented reluctant soldiers told the newspaper. He refused. The Insider. Sergei has invited us to his home to tell us their story. Russia announced the mobilisation of 300,000 men in late September after suffering battlefield defeats at the hands of Ukrainian forces. ACI Prensa Staff, Feb 27, 2023 / 13:45 pm (CNA). While speaking, he blew cigarette smoke into an officers face, who responded by pushing him away. But, he had been sufficiently worried about his unit's reaction to his refusal that he decided to seek legal advice. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has supported its eastern neighbour in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.Before the start of the offensive, Belarus allowed the Russian Armed Forces to perform weeks-long military drills on its territory; however, the Russian troops did not exit the country after they were supposed to finish. 2. Among them were 12 national guardsmen from Russia's . It's not a war of liberation.' RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. Russian forces have significantly reduced activity in the Vuhledar area due to the mass refusal of their troops to go on the offensive, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Tavriiskyi District forces, Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, said on Feb. 27. . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 03:25. The attack is doubly unjust. This is not our war. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. 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.. A group of desperate Russian soldiers have issued an open letter by way of video to despotic President Vladimir Putin. I didn't look back.". It wouldn't cost much to equip us. Russian paratroopers. Discovery Company. He said he himself had written some 20 complaints and demands for reassignment, but his superior officers had rejected them -- or even tore the papers up completely. Russia blaming Ukraine for killing of daughter of Putin ally. The range of experience varies. Honestly, we had to supply ourselves with food. They began to stir and offer up some alternatives when people started specifically saying no, he said. While the exact number of soldiers refusing to fight remains unclear, such stories illustrate what military experts and western governments say is one of Russias biggest obstacles in Ukraine: a severe shortage of infantry soldiers. Daughter of Putin ally dies when . Quote from the General Staff: "Troops from the so-called . Back in his living room, Sergei tells me that what happened to Stas in Ukraine has brought them closer together. He refused so they beat him over the head several times with a pistol. "I had thought that we were the Russian army, the most super-duper in the world," says the young man bitterly. "They beat him and then they took him outside as if they were going to shoot him. 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. Approximately 60 paratroopers from Russia's Pskov region have refused to be deployed to Ukraine, newspaper Pskovskaya . Read about our approach to external linking. Ukraine's leader pledged Friday to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians marked the somber anniversary of the Russian invasion that upended their lives and Europe's security. War-weary Russian soldiers have been thrown in jail by their commanders after they refused to fight in Ukraine over the invasions total disregard for human life, a new report claims. Most Russian men between the ages of 18-27 must complete one year of compulsory military service, 78 soldiers Kaminsky... 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