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Four years after Russia’s partial mobilization, the decree remains active with no end date. Meduza follows two men drafted in 2022: Maxim, still at the front, and Temirzhan, a deserter in Spain. Their stories highlight the lasting human cost and propaganda effects.
Four years after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization, the decree remains in effect with no official termination, leaving hundreds of thousands of conscripts in a state of prolonged uncertainty. According to a new report by independent news outlet Meduza, the fates of two men drafted in the fall of 2022 illustrate the divergent paths taken by those forced into service: one remains at the front line, while the other has become a deserter in Spain. These individual accounts underscore the enduring human toll of the ongoing conflict and the effectiveness of state propaganda in shaping the perceptions of those deployed.
The Russian Defense Ministry states that more than 300,000 people were drafted during the initial mobilization wave in the fall of 2022. Official figures indicate that at least 20,000 of those mobilized have died, though independent estimates suggest the true casualty count may be significantly higher. Despite the passage of four years, no decree has been issued to end the mobilization, meaning those drafted remain legally bound to service unless they are killed, severely injured, or manage to evade capture.
Meduza’s report focuses on two specific cases. Maxim, a 38-year-old refrigeration engineer from Pskov whose name has been changed for his safety, was drafted shortly after the birth of his son. Initially indifferent to the war, Maxim’s perspective shifted during his deployment. He now views Ukrainians as enemies, a change Meduza attributes partly to the effectiveness of state propaganda and the limited viewpoint available to soldiers in the field. His account reveals how personal circumstances, such as the need to support a new family, intersect with state coercion.
In contrast, Temirzhan Bayanov from Omsk attempted to avoid mobilization from the outset. After being caught and initially forced into service, he eventually managed to flee abroad, currently residing in Spain as a deserter. His story highlights the risks and difficulties faced by those attempting to evade the draft, including the legal and social consequences of desertion within Russia. Together, these narratives provide a microcosm of the broader mobilization experience, ranging from coerced compliance to active resistance.
Enduring Legal and Human Costs of Mobilization
The continued enforcement of the mobilization decree four years later signifies that the Russian state has not retreated from its wartime commitments, despite the high human cost. For the individuals involved, this means a permanent alteration of life trajectories. Maxim’s transformation from a disinterested civilian to a soldier who perceives Ukrainians as enemies demonstrates the profound psychological impact of prolonged deployment and propaganda. His case suggests that the state’s narrative machinery remains effective in maintaining morale and justification for the war among conscripts.
Temirzhan’s escape, meanwhile, underscores the cracks in the system. While the state maintains control over most mobilized men, the existence of deserters indicates that coercion is not absolute. These stories matter because they humanize the statistics, moving beyond casualty counts to explore the lived experiences of those forced into the conflict. They reveal the long-term social fragmentation caused by the war, as families are separated and individuals are forced into roles they never chose.
The 2022 Mobilization Decree and Its Aftermath
Russia’s partial mobilization was announced in September 2022, marking a significant escalation in the country’s involvement in Ukraine. The decree called up reservists and those with prior military experience, targeting an initial wave of over 300,000 men. Unlike previous conscription practices, this mobilization was indefinite, with no clear end date specified in the initial orders. The government framed it as a necessary step to defend the nation, but the sudden nature of the call-up led to widespread panic, with many men attempting to flee the country or evade the draft.
In the years since, the Russian military has continued to rely on mobilized personnel, often deploying them to high-intensity combat zones despite initial assurances of territorial defense roles. The lack of a formal end to the mobilization has created a legal gray area for many, who remain technically on active duty indefinitely. This context is crucial for understanding why Maxim remains at the front and why Temirzhan’s status as a deserter carries such significant legal and personal risk.
“Who is there to fight? You’ll be home in three months.”
— Military Commissar
Unverified Casualty and Desertion Data
While the Russian Defense Ministry reports at least 20,000 deaths among mobilized personnel, independent media outlets and human rights groups have long disputed these figures, suggesting the actual number is substantially higher. The exact scale of desertion is also unclear, as the Russian government does not publish data on those who flee service. Meduza’s report provides individual accounts but does not offer aggregate statistics on how many mobilized men have successfully evaded service or been killed. Furthermore, the extent to which propaganda influences all conscripts remains difficult to quantify, as Maxim’s subjective experience may not be representative of the entire mobilized population.
Ongoing Legal Ambiguity for Conscripts
As the mobilization decree remains in force, the legal status of mobilized men like Maxim continues to be precarious. Without a formal end to the mobilization, there is no clear pathway for their return to civilian life, barring injury or death. For deserters like Temirzhan, the threat of prosecution remains, complicating their integration into host countries. Future developments will likely depend on the trajectory of the war itself; any significant shift in Russian military strategy or political leadership could prompt a reevaluation of the mobilization decree, though no such change is currently anticipated.
Key Questions
Is Russia’s partial mobilization still active?
Yes, according to Meduza, the decree announced in 2022 has never been officially terminated, meaning mobilized personnel remain on active duty.
How many people were mobilized in 2022?
The Russian Defense Ministry states that more than 300,000 people were drafted during the initial mobilization wave.
Why did Maxim’s views on the war change?
Meduza attributes Maxim’s shift from indifference to viewing Ukrainians as enemies to the effectiveness of state propaganda and the limited perspective available to soldiers in the field.
What happened to Temirzhan Bayanov?
Bayanov attempted to avoid mobilization, was caught, but eventually fled abroad and now lives in Spain as a deserter.
Source: rss
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