Russian courts are grappling with an unprecedented surge in desertion cases among military personnel.
Hiding in Forests
Reports indicate that soldiers fleeing the front lines are resorting to extreme measures to evade military authorities, often seeking refuge in the homes of relatives or hiding in forests. According to Digi24, many families have gone to great lengths to protect their loved ones, resulting in confrontations with law enforcement.
In a striking incident in Buryatia, Siberia, a retiree faced a police raid while preparing food, as her son-in-law hid in a cellar.
The local police chief demanded he surrender, but the mother-in-law retaliated by throwing boiling water at the officer, leading to injuries for the officer and subsequent jail sentences for both her and her son-in-law. Such desperate situations have become increasingly common across the country.
800 Sentences Monthly
Grigori Sverdlin, founder of the anti-war project "Run to the Forest," reported that between 20% and 30% of soldiers avoiding mobilization remain within Russia.
He stated, "The military is in chaos. We are seeing an exponential increase in the number of deserters."
In 2024 alone, Russian courts began issuing around 800 sentences monthly for soldiers who went missing or disobeyed orders, doubling from the previous year.
Moreover, the risks associated with military service are disproportionately high for residents of poorer regions. For instance, data reveals that the likelihood of a resident from Buryatia dying in the conflict is 33 times greater than that of someone from Moscow.
This stark disparity underscores the severe toll the war is exacting on less affluent communities while highlighting the escalating discontent among soldiers facing dire circumstances.
