Russian Mother Claims Son, 20, Coerced Into War Contract Without Medical Screening
A St. Petersburg 20-year-old was allegedly forced into a Russian military contract and sent to Luhansk without a proper medical exam.
POLICY WIRE — St. Petersburg, Russia — A young man aged 20 residing in St. Petersburg was pressured into signing a military agreement with the Russian Defence Ministry under duress, according to his mother.
The mother claims her son was subsequently deployed to the occupied Luhansk region of Ukraine without ever undergoing a required military medical examination.
Reports suggest that instances of individuals being deceived or intimidated into signing contracts are becoming more frequent across the country.
As the pool of volunteers willing to join the Russian military declines, the demand for personnel on the front lines continues to escalate.
In one documented case reported by the outlet ASTRA, a 19-year-old from Cheboksary was allegedly beaten by security forces and threatened with criminal charges until he signed a contract.
That young man was sent out as an assault trooper just two months later and has been reported missing following combat engagement.
Activists and family members note that three years after the conflict began, conscripts are still being sent into battle and dying after signing contracts under similar circumstances.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
