How to escape Russia’s army: Soldiers serving in Ukraine seek a way out
Russian soldiers deployed in Ukraine are increasingly seeking ways to desert due to harsh conditions, forced enlistment, and deception about their roles. A group called Idite Lesom assists deserters like Oleg, a 24-year-old who was misled into joining as a drone pilot but faced abuse and mental health struggles. The scale of desertion is significant, with estimates suggesting up to 50,000 soldiers have left since 2022.
- ▪Oleg, a 24-year-old from Ufa, was misled into joining the Russian army under the false promise of a security job at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
- ▪He suffered physical abuse and mental health deterioration, including self-harm, after being forced into military service despite a schizophrenia diagnosis.
- ▪The group Idite Lesom has helped at least 3,000 Russian soldiers desert, vetting applicants through documentation and service details.
- ▪Independent outlet Mediazona reported nearly 21,000 convictions for refusal to serve, while the UN estimates 50,000 desertions since 2022.
- ▪Russia has increasingly recruited soldiers from vulnerable groups, including students, migrants, and prisoners, often through coercion or false promises.
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News|Russia-Ukraine warHow to escape Russia’s army: Soldiers serving in Ukraine seek a way outRussia’s army faces a desertion crisis as it continues to use waves of soldiers to attack Ukraine’s defensive positions.ListenListen (7 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoRussian soldiers in a ceremonial handover of humanitarian aid in Rostov-on-Don in February [Sergey Pivovarov/Reuters]By Mansur MirovalevPublished On 4 May 20264 May 2026Warning: This story contains references to suicide and self harm, which some may find distressing.Oleg, a 24-year-old who grew up in the western Russian city of Ufa, thought he was signing up to work as a security guard at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the…
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