The Journey into Reporting on Deserters
When I embarked on my reporting journey for “The Deserter,” I had the opportunity to meet with Idite Lesom, an organization dedicated to assisting Russian soldiers seeking to escape the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This includes soldiers who have already been deployed to the front lines, as well as those trying to evade conscription. My initial days were spent immersing myself in their efforts and gaining insight into the precarious situations faced by Russian officers, soldiers, drafted civilians, conscripts, and deserters.
Idite Lesom facilitated connections with several deserters, and I began conducting interviews online through a secure messaging app recommended by the group, which they regard as particularly safe for such sensitive conversations. One of the first revelations was the significant economic motivation behind most enlistments. Many young men, predominantly men, are lured into military service with enticing promises of various benefits from the Russian military.
This situation reminded me of a previous article I reported on regarding disenfranchised veterans of the U.S. armed forces living in America’s colonies and territories. While their motivations were similarly economic, there was a strong undercurrent of patriotism involved. In contrast, the average Russian soldier I encountered did not express such sentiments. While it’s possible that the group I spoke with was not representative of the average Russian soldier, even their comments about former comrades emphasized financial incentives over national pride. For context, the average annual salary in Russia is approximately $11,000, while current sign-up bonuses exceed $20,000.
As a matter of principle, I never push individuals to discuss topics they are uncomfortable with. I assured these men that I was interested in learning about their lives and experiences. I was acutely aware of the risks involved in speaking with a reporter, especially under such circumstances. After engaging in conversations with about a dozen deserters online, I decided it was time to take my reporting to the ground.
During my on-the-ground reporting, I traveled to various countries within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (C.S.T.O.), which serves as Russia’s counterpart to NATO and includes nations such as Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. In these locations, I began meeting deserters in public spaces, prioritizing safety for both myself and the individuals I spoke with. This approach provided them with the freedom to leave at any moment, allowing them the space to assess their surroundings and ensuring they could see that I was a woman alone, which might make them feel more at ease.
I conducted multiple interviews with each person I met, usually three times, totaling between five to ten hours of conversation for each individual. This method allowed me to grasp the broader landscape of the Russian military and discern which experiences were common across various units, bases, human-resources offices, and ranks, as well as which experiences were more unique to specific individuals.
Our understanding of what occurs behind the scenes in our own military is limited, let alone what transpires within the Russian military. Key questions linger: Does hazing still persist? How does officer training operate? What are the discussions like on base? How do the soldiers perceive Vladimir Putin, the news, and the war in Ukraine? What are the dynamics of camaraderie among the men? What quality of medical care is available? How are the canteens on the bases managed? What does a base doctor’s daily routine entail? (One doctor revealed that his responsibilities included inspecting the hands and fingernails of food-service workers and testing food samples to ensure they were not contaminated.) What recreational activities do soldiers engage in during their leave? How rigidly is the hierarchy of officers and enlisted personnel maintained? What rituals and traditions characterize Russian military service?
I also had the privilege of speaking with several men about their preparations for the May 9 Victory Day parade, a significant event in Russia. Young recruits practice marching in perfect unison for nearly a year, paying meticulous attention to the positioning of their fingers and thumbs.
A photo taken by Ivan inside a military airplane on the way to Ukraine.
