Hundreds of Russian conscripts, labeled as “refuseniks” for rejecting military service, have reportedly been transported from a holding facility in Kamenka near St. Petersburg to the frontline in Kursk. The men, many of whom cited health, age, or physical ability as reasons for their refusal, were forcibly moved despite lacking proper training or equipment. Russian independent outlet Astra reported the conscripts’ situation, corroborated by messages circulating on Russian Telegram channels. The conscripts, some with severe health issues, were abruptly relocated under guard, and families were left in the dark about their loved ones’ fate. The move has sparked outrage and concern among the families of the young soldiers, who fear for the lives of their loved ones sent into battle with minimal training and inadequate equipment.
Astra reports that approximately 300+ “refuseniks” were put on a plane under guard and flown to Kursk without explanation. One conscript’s mother shared her shock over the situation: “They took them, grabbed them like a parcel, put them in jail and took them away,”
The situation has escalated as more families come forward with similar stories. According to Astra, criminal proceedings have also been opened against some refuseniks who attempted to flee the unit including those with severe health issues. “They took away a man with category ‘D,’ plus a man just under the age of 70 who can barely walk, another man without an eye,” reported the outlet, citing accounts from relatives.
“The boys are being taken away lawlessly” – ASTRA has obtained a video of the very same dispatch of several hundred refuseniks from near St. Petersburg to Kursk#RussiaIsATerroristState pic.twitter.com/qFrpzjRi2d
— #WeLikeSeababies 🇺🇦 We Will Not Lie #U24 (@RChick351) August 14, 2024
As Ukrainian forces continue to make significant advances, deployment of conscripts to the frontlines contradicts previous assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that conscripts would not be sent into combat. This has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among the mothers and wives of the conscripts. Families of the conscripts have taken to social media to express their alarm, with many reporting that they have lost contact with their sons, brothers, and husbands now missing in action after Ukrainian forces breached Russian defenses in the Kursk region. An anonymous woman from the Komi Republic shared her distress on a social media page called “the mothers of Syktyvkar,” writing, “The situation is such that my brother’s son, a conscript, was in Kursk. They only know that they were surrounded [and] that the commander got out some of them and that the fate of the other kids remains unclear.”
According to Ukrainian reports, most of the captured Russian conscripts were young men under 20 years old. They offered no resistance, had absolutely no combat experience and surrendered because they simply wanted to survive.#UkraineWar #KurskBattle #Kurskregion pic.twitter.com/8gUCCcl8kQ
— Mukoma (@MukomaIcho) August 12, 2024
The conscripts sent to the frontlines in Kursk are facing severe challenges due to a lack of proper training. Many of these men, including those who were forcibly relocated from Kamenka, received minimal preparation before being thrust into combat situations. Reports from Astra and other outlets highlight that these conscripts were given little more than basic equipment, with some only receiving weapons shortly before being sent into battle.
These , believe it or not, are the latest Prisoners of War. 👀
Yes that’s right, they’re very young and likely still teenagers but yet Putin has sent them to Kursk to engage Ukraine 🇺🇦
Russia has no trained personnel left so has to rely on conscripts for home security. 😦 pic.twitter.com/IY2sVCmD5Q
— Sytheruk 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 (@SythUK) August 13, 2024
As reports of these forced deployments spread, the anger among Russian families grows. Many have tried to reach out to official military hotlines for information, only to be met with silence or unhelpful responses. The lack of transparency and the apparent disregard for the safety of these young conscripts have led to a wave of petitions and pleas for their withdrawal from the conflict zone.
This controversial strategy by Moscow may have significant implications for Putin’s domestic support, particularly as the voices of soldiers’ mothers and wives—a historically influential group in Russia—grow louder in their opposition.
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