Russia has forcibly sent men who refused to fight in Ukraine to the front, instead of prosecuting them for refusing to participate in combat operations.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that Russian forces launched an offensive in the northern Kharkiv region when the Northern Group of Forces was out of power.
Therefore, the Russian Ministry of Defense has sent pre-trial servicemen to the front in the Kharkiv region, to reinforce the limited forces in this area.
Russian opposition media outlet Verstka reported on June 3 that Russian military officials had begun forcibly deploying hundreds of servicemen who had refused to engage in fighting on the Ukrainian front, particularly in the northern Kharkiv region and Donetsk region in May 2024.
Initially, these soldiers were held at military bases in Russia, awaiting trial for their refusal to fight. However, their trials were suddenly canceled and they were sent directly to Ukraine.
Verstka reported that some soldiers were forced to volunteer for deployment through physical abuse. Others were forcibly taken from their cells at gunpoint and transported to the front line.
At least 170 servicemen have had their trials canceled and sent to Ukraine without the knowledge of legal authorities, including investigators, prosecutors and lawyers.
Additionally, several sources, including one from the Russian leader’s administration, indicated that the Russian military is assigning less-skilled conscripts and reservists to non-combat roles within Russia’s border forces.
They are doing this to free up experienced soldiers for the offensive in the northern Kharkiv region. However, deserters are also being sent to fight.
