"No One Is Ready to Die... Last Protest Expression" Extreme Choices Following Putin's Mobilization Order

Partial Mobilization Order for 300,000 Reservists
"I Don't Want to Commit Murder on the Battlefield" Rapper Who Made an Extreme Choice

On the 24th of last month (local time), police in downtown Moscow, Russia, are arresting participants of an illegal rally opposing the partial mobilization order. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Concerns are growing across Russia following the declaration of a partial mobilization order. Contrary to the initial announcement by the Russian government, men of all ages have been indiscriminately conscripted, leading to protests against the order in cities such as the capital Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The number of people trying to leave Russia is also increasing, and recently, foreign media reported that a 20-something rapper reportedly took his own life in protest against the partial mobilization order.

According to recent reports from foreign media including the Daily Mail, on the 30th of last month, Ivan Vitalyevich Petunin (27), a rapper known by the stage name 'Walkie,' was found dead in Krasnodar, southern Russia.

He is presumed to have died by suicide after jumping from a high-rise building in the area in protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin's partial mobilization order.

Earlier, on the 21st of last month (local time), President Putin issued a partial mobilization order to deploy 300,000 reservists to the war in Ukraine. At that time, it was announced that university students, people with chronic illnesses, and elderly men beyond the conscription age would be exempt from military service. However, due to administrative errors by some local governments, many exempt individuals were conscripted. Furthermore, rumors circulated that the number of conscripts could increase by more than one million. As a result, there has been a growing trend of overseas escape movements, especially among young Russian men, referred to as the 'Putin Exodus.'

The media reported that Petunin also expressed fear about this conscription order. According to notes from Petunin’s cellphone released by an acquaintance, he wrote, "I have decided to make an extreme choice to protest this hellish world."

Petunin wrote, "I want people to remember that I died so that I would not commit murder on the battlefield." He added, "I hope everyone overcomes these dark times well," and "Please always remember that I love you."

In addition, Petunin posted a video expressing his feelings on Telegram. He said, "By the time you watch this video, I will no longer be alive," and "I cannot accuse my soul of murder. I was not ready to kill anyone." He also stated, "Putin has taken all Russian men hostage and presented only three options: 'become a murderer,' 'go to prison,' or 'end your own life.' Taking my own life is my final form of protest."

Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending a National Security Council meeting held via video conference on the 29th of last month (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, to prevent men from fleeing abroad following the declaration of the partial mobilization order, the Russian government has set up conscription checkpoints at various border areas. According to AP News on the 29th of last month, authorities installed conscription checkpoints along the border area of North Ossetia, which borders Georgia, a major escape route for conscription-targeted men. An independent Russian media outlet also reported that conscription checkpoints have been set up along the border with Finland. It is known that men attempting to escape from these areas are being conscripted.

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