A video of the arrest of two Russian soldiers, who refused to go to war, was published on Russian Telegram channels. Human rights activists believe this video was filmed “as a warning to others”. It is not clear if the detainees were newly recruited or soldiers who had already signed a contract before the war
Independent Russian media Meduza reported that two Russian soldiers who refused to fight against Ukraine – were arrested.
The video was allegedly filmed in the Belgorod region of Russia. However, the media channel did not specify when or where it was filmed. In the video two soldiers are seen being called by their commander and an investigator tells them that criminal cases have been opened against them, in the footage they are seen being roughly arrested by the military police and put into a police car.
According to reports, these are the first criminal cases against conscripted soldiers for refusing to fight against Ukraine. They face up to 3 years in prison.
In the video, the soldiers are called in turn to a military police investigator in front of the other soldiers on the parade ground, according to the video, the names of the detainees are Slivanov and Diagreb, it is difficult to understand their full names as well, it is not clear if the detainees were newly recruited or soldiers who had already signed a contract before the war.
The investigator informs them that on November 16 a criminal case was opened against them for disobeying the order of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, they are expected to be punished for a period of two to three years, after that, the police officers arrest the soldiers. According to lawyer Maxim Grabniuk, there was no need to arrest them in the field by the military police, rather he believes that the arrest was a “warning to others”.