a former Russian officer tells why he fled to Finland

A former Russian officer hastily left his country, a few hours after Vladimir Putin’s announcement on Wednesday, September 21, to mobilize 300,000 reservists to go and fight in Ukraine. For the man, who lives in hiding somewhere in Finland, near the Russian border, there was no other choice. “Putin decreed the mobilization to kill Russian citizens. I don’t want to give him this opportunity”denounces Alex.

“I don’t want to be mobilized because I don’t want to kill Ukrainians. They are a friendly people, they are my brothers, my sisters. So I took my things to leave and go to Finland”, he continues. The former officer no longer recognizes his country, led by a man he despises deep within himself. “I was in the army for eight years. I know what the Russian army is like inside, and I am deeply convinced that Putin will lose this war”, says Alex. Since Wednesday, September 21, the crowd has been strong at the border posts between Russia and Finland. Russians, of fighting age, have decided to flee like this former officer.