Deserters from the Russian army create a project “Farewell to arms”

Thousands of Russian soldiers have deserted since the start of the war against Ukraine. By doing this, they put not only their own lives at risk, but also the lives of their loved ones. Harassed by the army, a Russian officer explains Mother well why and how he decided to “drop weapons”.

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“At first there was a feeling of freedom, security. I felt a great relief, I breathed,” said Alasdair, who deserted the Russian army. This was one of the most difficult decisions in his life, he admits to DV. Now the young man is starting a new life in France.

“Better kill or be killed”

“A criminal case was opened against me, my home was searched, my mother was questioned. I may not be able to return to Russia soon. But this is better than killing or being killed, ” he is sure.

Alexander was a liaison officer in the Russian army and did not directly participate in combat. Already in 2021, he was already very unhappy with the army and even tried to leave it several times. In February 2022, it was sent to the last military exercise. “On February 4, we arrived in Crimea for an exercise. On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, and my brigade participated,” the young man recalls.

Six months later, he got away from the front and fled – first to Kazakhstan, without personal documents. His wife Irina is with him. “It was scary when we left. You run knowing your future is uncertain and you’ll want it. But I didn’t hesitate to follow him – no “I can leave him alone,” said the woman.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than 3,000 soldiers have left the Russian army, according to the organization Grab the Forest, which helps refugees flee the country. Many of them went to Kazakhstan, where they live in constant fear of persecution.

Determined to oppose Russia’s war against Ukraine, Alexander created the “Farewell to Arms” project with other defenders. Their goal is to encourage other Russian soldiers to refuse to fight. At the same time, they managed to convince the French authorities to let six defendants into the country. Several human rights organizations have been working hard for this throughout the year.

“Our aim is to have more and more soldiers lay down their arms”

Each individual case has been heavily scrutinized by activists such as Olga Prokopieva from the French NGO Free Russia. She told DV: “We made sure that these people did not kill and that we can hold the authorities accountable. We are sure that this weakens the Russian army. Our goal is that more and more people in Russia lay down their weapons, leave the army and the land of Ukraine”.

Alexander and his wife Irina want to work from France to help other defects that are still hiding. “I hope this precedent will open the door wide for other defections,” said the young man.

Now both get used to sleeping at night and making plans for the future during the day. Alasdair does not rule out that he will go further one day – perhaps across the ocean. But for now he is still in France.

Natalia Smolentseva