In Russia, officer kills conscript for refusing to go to war

This was reported by the "Important Stories" publication with reference to the investigative inspection case, Ukrinform saw.

The murder occurred on October 21 at the Ilyinsky training ground of the 60th motorized rifle brigade in the Primorsky Territory. Antonov, originally from Tatarstan, was sent to strengthen motorized rifle units covering the border in Kursk region. According to the incpection case file, during a class on how to handle weapons, the lieutenant, whose last name is not disclosed, removed the safety catch from his AK-12 assault rifle and fired a burst at soldiers. As the bullet hit Antonov in the head, he died on the spot.

The soldier's family claims that because of his refusal to sign the contract, the commanders repeatedly subjected him to torture and abuse: they beat him with iron rods and put him on duty for eight days in a row. Antonov shared this with close friends in a group on social networks, which was deleted immediately after his death. According to family, when they saw the body before burial, they saw not only a bullet hole in the forehead, but also bruises on the body.

The relatives said that they know the name of the lieutenant of the 394th motorized rifle regiment who opened fire, but they are afraid to make it public.

In the obituary on social media, someone wrote that Antonov "decided to sacrifice his life for his homeland."

As repeatedly reported earlier, in Russian military units, conscripts are forced to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense to be deployed to war against Ukraine. Those who disagree are subjected to unbearable service conditions, assaulted, and threatened with prison time.