What is Happening in Russia, Episode 3

Welcome to the Episode 3 of ” What is Happening in Russia“. This blog post will explore the latest Russian news and provide an insightful overview of the events in this country.

1. A mobilized soldier who had complained to his comrades about his fear of returning to the conflict zone has taken his own life in Crimea.

According to our information, yesterday evening, an Armyansk resident discovered a man’s body on the shore of the North Crimean Canal. The deceased was identified as 43-year-old Andrey A., a mobilized soldier from Volgograd. He had been serving in a marine infantry brigade in Sevastopol and had taken part in combat operations in Ukraine. The soldier’s fellow servicemen claim that he had been experiencing severe depression lately, talking about not wanting to return to the combat zone and contemplating suicide.

A few days ago, he left his unit without permission, and the command attempted to locate him independently. Preliminary findings indicate that the cause of death was blood loss. A wound was found on the man’s neck, and beside him, a folding knife, a bottle of alcohol, and a sedative were discovered.

2. A criminal case has been initiated against a pensioner from Kabardino-Balkaria for discrediting the army through posts on social media.

According to our information, yesterday, along with special forces, employees of the “E” center visited the 58-year-old resident of Baksan, Hasan G., at his home. A search was conducted, and they confiscated the phone from which he was using Facebook. The issue at hand is that an examination revealed signs of army discredit in the posts on his private page.

This offense turned out to be the second one – in January, the man had already been tried for discrediting the army under an administrative article, and in March 2022, he was involved in a case related to calls for a protest. This time, a criminal case was launched against him, and the man was released on a non-departure pledge.

3. In Ukraine, it was emphasized that negotiations with Russia were possible only after the withdrawal of Russian troops beyond the borders in 1991.

Mikhail Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, refuted the information from The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that Ukraine did not insist on its “peace formula” during the meeting in Saudi Arabia. “The sole foundational ‘basis for negotiations’ is President Zelensky’s ‘formula for peace.’ There can be no compromise positions like ‘immediate ceasefire’ and ‘negotiations here and now,’ which give Russia time to remain on the occupied territories. Only the withdrawal of Russian troops to the 1991 border. There is no need to harbor illusions: any ‘Minsk-3’ will only prolong the war in the future. It is precisely the ‘rejection of illusions’ that is happening today in many countries that misjudged Russia and its intention to ‘kill’ international law,” Podolyak stated.

Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that during the summit on the peaceful resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which involved more than 30 countries (including China), the Ukrainian delegation did not insist on its peace formula. The Financial Times reported that summit participants agreed that a peaceful resolution should be based on the inviolability of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The publication also noted that China “appeared constructive and wanted to show that it is not Russia.”

4. A resident of Adygea attempted to transport 13 grenades, an anti-tank grenade launcher, a rifle, a pistol, and over 280 rounds of ammunition from the “new territories” into the Rostov region.

According to our information, at the end of July, police officers stopped a suspicious LADA Granta at the Matveev Kurgan checkpoint between the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and the Rostov region. Behind the wheel was a 49-year-old resident of Maykop, Murat K., who had previously worked as a taxi driver and found himself in the conflict zone in 2022. At first glance, there seemed to be nothing prohibited in the car, but upon closer inspection, weapons, and ammunition were discovered inside.

They were concealed in the back seat’s upholstery, under the trunk lining, and in hidden compartments. As a result, law enforcement confiscated 13 grenades of various types, detonators, an RPG-18 “Mukha” anti-tank grenade launcher, a Kalashnikov rifle, a bayonet, a Makarov pistol, and over 280 rounds of ammunition for these weapons. The man could face up to 8 years in prison under the article on illegal transportation of weapons (Article 222.1 of the Russian Criminal Code).

5. Former Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) members robbed a man in the Krasnoyarsk Krai.

On the evening of August 5th, three criminals arrived at the 43-year-old Ruslan K.’s residence in the village of Tyukhtet. They assaulted him, forcefully took all the cash they could find (30,000 rubles), and also stole two sets of camouflage uniforms and boots. The victim immediately recognized two of the attackers – 28-year-old Andrey K., who lives in a neighboring house, and 39-year-old Fedor P.

Both men have criminal records (Andrey K. for drug possession, Fedor P. for causing serious bodily harm). They returned to Tyukhtet only in May, following their service with the Wagner PMC. Upon their return, the police immediately placed them under administrative supervision. Later, the police identified the third attacker as 32-year-old Ratibor K. from Krasnoyarsk, who had previously worked in law enforcement (he posted photos in uniform on his social media). A criminal case of robbery has been initiated, and the men have not yet been detained; they are currently being sought by law enforcement.

6. The State Duma has announced that amendments regarding criminal liability for evading mobilization will be introduced this coming fall.

Andrey Kartapolov, the Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, shared this information with the “Parliamentary Newspaper.” According to him, Article 328 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to “Evasion of Military Service,” is planned to be supplemented with a section specifically addressing mobilization. Those evading mobilization will face penalties ranging from a fine of 500,000 rubles to 5 years of imprisonment.

In the view of the deputy, such measures will “restore the status quo and level the situation,” as there is already accountability for evading regular conscription but not for evading mobilization. Kartapolov added that the law will be “more than relevant, and there is no need to delay the procedure.”

“Military service is a matter of state concern. Regardless of how a person arrives at service, if they violate their duties or refuse to fulfill them, they must face punishment. It’s quite simple,” stated the parliamentarian.

7. In Podolsk, the same military enlistment office was set on fire twice.

Amid a recent series of mass arsons targeting military enlistment offices in Moscow, its surrounding region, and other areas, one of the buildings of a suburban conscription office was attacked twice. The enlistment office located on Lenin Avenue in Podolsk was targeted on two separate occasions. Apart from two pensioners previously involved, another local resident, Vyacheslav L., a 22-year-old employee of “Vkusno I Tochka” (a retail chain), also threw a bottle filled with flammable mixture into the enlistment office. This act was also carried out under the direction of fraudsters.

The young man drove up to the enlistment office and hurled a glass bottle at the central entrance door. While no significant damage was inflicted on the enlistment office, he was subsequently apprehended. During questioning, the young man revealed that a few days prior, unknown individuals claiming to be Central Bank employees had been calling him. Following their instructions, he applied for a credit card and lost 35,000 rubles. Subsequently, he was coerced over the phone to “participate in a special operation” – setting fire to the military enlistment office. Allegedly, this act was intended to thwart the fraudsters and protect the residents of the Moscow suburbs from further financial loss. Vyacheslav purchased a nail polish remover and used it to create a Molotov cocktail in a mineral water bottle. The police are currently investigating the young man’s involvement in the incident.

In conclusion, the current news coming out of Russia is nothing short of a horror. From accusations of election interference to human rights violations, Russia’s actions have garnered global attention and concern. It is crucial to stay informed about the situation in Russia, as it has far-reaching implications for both domestic and international affairs.