'Impossible to refuse to fight'- Russian deserters tell DW about their escape I GS News

#russia #army #soldier
In 2022 Vladimir Putin amended Russia’s Criminal Code, making it nearly impossible to leave the army. Deserters face 15 years behind bars. But according to human right activists, at least 500 men have deserted from the Russian army since then. DW reporter Natalia Smolentceva met one former soldier who has been granted residency in Germany.