Sanal Ivanov, a Russian soldier who had previously worked as a medic in Moscow's "Matrosskaya Tishina" prison, found himself in a troubling situation after voicing his concerns about his military service conditions.
Ivanov had voluntarily enlisted in May 2023 and was assigned to the 26th Motorized Rifle Regiment. Despite promises that he would serve as a medic, he was frequently sent to the front lines.
Ivanov had been assured that his role in the military would be as a medic, a position aligning with his professional background. However, he found himself deployed in the Kherson region, where he was tasked with storming and capturing previously fought positions. Ivanov tried to reason with his commanders, stating that he should not be fighting, especially in aquatic environments, as he can't swim.
A sudden change of tone
After voicing his concerns, Ivanov posted an update on social media, thanking his supporters and assuring them that his situation had improved. He stated that he was no longer being sent to the islands and that even his commander had "supported" him.
This seemed like a positive turn of events, but it was short-lived.
The aftermath of speaking out
Just two days after his optimistic update, Ivanov posted another video. This time, he revealed the harsh reality: he had been summoned for a "disciplinary talk" by the commander of the 26th Mechanized Infantry Regiment.
The video showed the grim "results" of this talk—numerous bruises and leg injuries.
The story was brought to light by Anton Heraszczenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, who shared the video on social media. Ivanov's ex-wife and classmates also confirmed his military service and ongoing contact with him.
Watch the video below
