A growing number of Russian soldiers are deserting, unwilling to fight in a war many consider unjust.
Choose to Desert
One such deserter, Ivan, a 30-year-old military doctor from St. Petersburg, fled Russia shortly after graduating from a military medical academy. Ivan, who opposed the war from the start, left his home to avoid being drafted, now living in an undisclosed third country, according to Ziare.
Like Ivan, thousands of Russian soldiers have chosen to desert despite the severe consequences.
The Russian government has increased penalties for desertion, with soldiers facing up to 15 years in prison for refusing to fight, surrendering voluntarily, or fleeing during mobilization.
Additionally, reports have surfaced of soldiers being tortured by their officers, held in pits or cellars, sometimes without food or water, for refusing to comply.
Leave for Nearby Countries
Anti-war organizations have stepped in to help these soldiers escape. Idite Lesom, a Russian project with over 100,000 supporters, has assisted more than 900 people in fleeing, while advising at least 35,000 others on avoiding conscription or leaving Russia.
Deserters often contact the group through secure messaging apps, and volunteers craft escape plans to get them safely out of the country.
Many soldiers leave Russia for nearby countries like Armenia and Kazakhstan, though these places are not always safe. Russian deserters in both nations have been deported back to Russia, where they face imprisonment.
Even for those who manage to escape, starting over is challenging. Ivan, who dreams of continuing his medical career, still hopes to return to Russia one day when it is safe.
Despite the risks, the number of deserters continues to rise as Russia’s war in Ukraine stretches on. Over 7,400 criminal cases have been opened for evading military service since mobilization began in 2022,
