Russian amputee confronts one of Putin’s war recruiters with knife | World | News
As the Kremlin cracks down on mobbed citizens to shore up its dwindling forces on the front lines, veterans of Russia’s ongoing military campaign are attacking.
In a video that went viral on social media, the moments when a double amputee waved a knife and harassed a military recruiter were recorded.
The wheelchair-bound man was seen getting into a heated argument with officers before getting up from his chair and pulling out a knife.
“You’re taking children away from their mothers! Go away,” he shouts, according to the translation.
According to Telegram, the alarming incident occurred as military recruits began descending on the city of Preza, located about 350 miles from Moscow.
Residents described unconfirmed reports that military recruiters, accompanied by masked men, were moving around the city rounding up civilians under orders to recruit hundreds of people each day.
According to Russian anti-war network Idite Lesom, locals described witnessing targeted raids; Some described recruiters stopping vehicles and dragging men to sign military contracts.
“They round up everyone, stop cars and public transport, grab men and take them to sign [military] contracts. “Raids are happening all over the city,” one person recalled.
Another person told the news outlet how residents were “panicked” as they urged young men to stay home. “Everyone is calling each other and warning each other not to let their men go out. A cashier at a mall yelled at a man working there to stay inside and not go out to smoke. [draft officers] They were watching. “Panic has begun,” they said.
Other disturbing images circulating on Telegram showed a minibus carrying men conscripted against their will, Daily Mail reported.
The women’s relatives said, “We know you hit them! Damn it! Why don’t you even give us five minutes?” They were seen trying to block the front of the vehicle by shouting. [to say goodbye]?”
According to reports, Russia is experiencing losses at a rate it cannot bear, with losses reaching 40,000 per month.
With recruitment figures reaching only 35,000 soldiers per month, military commanders resorted to heavy-handed tactics to force men into service; some accounts suggest that men in poorer areas were specifically targeted and forced to enlist.
Reports also show that police and recruiters target vulnerable individuals, including immigrants, alcoholics and those burdened with debt.
For many of Russia’s poorest citizens, joining the army can mean a financially transformative opportunity, offering earnings of up to £40,000 ($52,994).
