The Ukraine war has been going on for three months now. And not all Russian forces favor the invasion. One of them is a soldier who now faces «CNN» unpacks. The young officer feels guilty. Out of fear he remains anonymous.
Because the man dared to take a courageous and extremely risky step: he left the Russian army. He told the news channel: “We were dirty and tired. The people around us died. I didn’t want to feel like I was a part of it. But I was part of it.”
Eventually the young officer had enough of fighting. He had sought a conversation with his commander and said he was resigning from his service, he tells the US broadcaster. First, the commander stands across. Escaping is not possible.
Mobile phone “without explanation” have to hand over
But the young man does not give up. Finally, he signs his resignation – despite threats from his superior. “He told me there could be a criminal case. Such a resignation is treason,” the anonymous officer continued to “CNN”.
It all started in February. Troops are being concentrated in western Russia. The war is not yet underway. On February 22, the young officer was deprived of his mobile phone while stationed in Krasnodar. Colleagues also have to hand in their mobile phones. This happened “without explanation”.
Others go – young officer stays
The man is then transferred to Crimea with his comrades-in-arms. But the officer still doesn’t suspect anything bad: “To be honest, I thought that we wouldn’t go to Ukraine. I didn’t think it would even come to this.”
On February 24, Russia’s ruler Putin started the war. The anonymous soldier and his cronies soon set foot on Ukrainian soil. Some colleagues are already fed up: “They wrote a letter and left. I don’t know what happened to them. I stayed. I do not know why.”
On the way to Cherson, the soldier meets Ukrainians. «When we saw the locals, we were tense. Some of them hid weapons under their clothing. As they approached us, they fired.”
You might also be interested in
“I’m glad I’m home again”
Later the young officer is withdrawn from the front. “We had a radio and could hear the news.” This tells the man the extent of the invasion. Of “the fact that shops are being closed in Russia and the economy is collapsing.” He says clearly: “I felt guilty about it. But I felt even more guilty because we came to Ukraine.”
Now the young officer is back with his family. He doesn’t know what’s in store for him now. But: “I’m glad I’m back home.” (nl)