My refusal to participate in military service and combat operations is based on personal experience, observations of how the system functions, and an understanding of the risks I may face. I completed my mandatory military service about ten years ago and had the opportunity to observe the internal processes of the army.

The effectiveness and safety of service largely depend on the competence of commanders and their subordinates. In the Russian army, contract soldiers come from diverse backgrounds and levels of training. Some have limited opportunities to earn a living in civilian life. The system grants them authority and responsibility that require a high level of discipline and professionalism. This becomes especially evident in combat conditions, where ordinary mechanisms of oversight and accountability are largely absent, and where heightened aggression and rigidity create additional risks to personal safety.

I am particularly concerned about the practice of involving people in combat through criminal prosecution. I know of a person who was detained in connection with a drug-related case. I cannot assert that the substances were planted; however, while in a pretrial detention facility, he was recruited into the army. He later participated in an assault operation in which he was the only survivor of his unit and sustained severe injuries, including broken legs and other trauma. After that, he was released. According to him, there exists an informal practice within the law enforcement system of directing people to the war, including through pressure and criminal cases, which creates a significant risk of abuse.

Another illustrative example is my fellow serviceman, Yezeevich Vlad, with whom I remain in contact. He received a draft notice at the same time it was attempted to be delivered to me. I did not return from Turkey, while he chose to comply with the draft and was mobilized. He has been serving since September 2022 and, to this day, does not know when his service will end. His leave is extremely limited, typically no more than two weeks and usually no more than twice a year. This example demonstrates that mobilization can be effectively indefinite and accompanied by prolonged and uncertain restrictions on personal freedom.

Considering my opposition background, as well as the fact that I have already been of interest to the military recruitment office and hold a military specialty as a signalman, I believe there is a real risk that I could be forcibly involved in military service and combat operations. Based on my personal experience, observations of the system, known examples, and assessment of my own risks, I consider participation in military service and combat operations unacceptable for me. My refusal is based on rational, ethical, and personal grounds.