Dmitry Vasilets, 27, comes from a small village in eastern Russia. His parents died when he was young. After his father’s death, he entered a military boarding school.
– That career path is common among orphans in Russia. He is a well-bred guy from a poor family, says Tatjana Britskaja, editor of the digs editorial office of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta who was the first to report on it.
In February 2022, Dmitry Vasilets was sent to the war in Ukraine. He was told that it was a military exercise, something that was common among the soldiers who were sent to war in February, according to Tatjana Britskaja.
When Dmitry Vasilets was on leave, he sent a written application that he refuses to go back to Ukraine, and resigned. But by then it was already too late – Russia had begun mobilization and soldiers lost the possibility of dismissal, reports Novaya Gazeta.
Dmitrij Vasiljets is now charged with refusing orders and risks up to three years in prison. According to Novaya Gazeta, the case is the first known prosecution of the crime since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in December, however, another Russian soldier who was charged earlier was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for the same crime.
– I know I will be imprisoned. I had a choice and I made it. Better to be in prison than to go against your values. My soul is in my hands, Dmitri tells the newspaper.
Dmitrij Vasiljets has not wanted to participate in SVT with reference to his safety and refers to his statements in Novaya Gazeta.
Hear Tatjana Britskaja tell more about the case in the video.