The voice of an anarchist who fled Ukraine to escape mobilization and war

From ANTIMILITARISTICKÁ INICIATIVA [ AMI ]

Mainstream media and even some “anarchist” or “radical left” media outlets bombard us with reports about soldiers on the front lines, but stubbornly refuse to listen to the voices of those who reject war and violent mobilization for war purposes. We take a different approach. We prefer to give space to the voices of those who fled the war rather than to hypocrites who describe the war as a liberation struggle.

Viatcheslav is an anarchist who fled mobilization. To quote him: “I refused to join the army and fled at the beginning of the war in 2022. It’s not that I particularly like Putin’s regime; I know very well that he is a dictator and that under his regime I would have no freedom and, as an anarchist, my life would even be in danger. But I have no desire to sacrifice my life so that the Ukrainian bourgeoisie can enjoy their privileges, so that the sons of oligarchs my age can continue to sunbathe on the beaches of Odessa while I tremble with fear in a trench, waiting to be bombed by a drone. War is also a class issue: if you are rich, it is very easy to obtain a medical certificate and be exempted from going to the front. That is not my case. It is not fair. That is why I decided to leave. Here in France, I was not welcomed with open arms.”

– We quote from an article published in the eighth issue of the Olga Taratuta Initiative Bulletin.https://nowar.solidarite.online/blog/ukraine-la-desertion-et-lesquive-deviennent-massives

Let us also remember that Ukraine’s borders remain firmly closed. Men of military age cannot legally leave the country, and many are being forcibly mobilized. Some are leaving and risking their lives
Some refugees did not survive their escape attempts or suffered serious injuries and trauma. Yet we still see war propaganda that describes aggression in the war as coming only from Russian imperialism, while ignoring that which is happening in Ukraine. That is why it is worth recalling the words of the Kharkiv collective Assembly from a recent interview:

„Every time Ukrainian representatives or cheerleaders tell you about Ukrainian civilian casualties from Russian bombings, while ignoring the fact that their closed borders prevent these people from fleeing to safety, know this: they simply want to conceal their responsibility for these deaths.”

 

Comments

Smookey4444 (not verified) Thu, 12/04/2025 - 21:43

This is a pretty good take. Yes Russia is waging an imperialist war in Ukraine, but it's not like the Ukrainian state is so beautiful either. As mentioned here they've forcibly made all men stay in a war zone and fight instead of be allowed to flee. In addition to this even before the war the government was incredibly corrupt. But now it's just a joke

anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/05/2025 - 03:32

> Men of military age cannot legally leave the country

Leaving the country even illegally is not that any easier.

anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/05/2025 - 08:14

These are not the Ukrainians you need to listen to! Leave this page immediately and contact ABC-Belarus to obtain a list of approved votes. If you don't do so within 15 minutes, we will write another statement calling you Putin's agents.

GTA (not verified) Fri, 12/05/2025 - 11:50

In reply to by anonymous (not verified)

There is not such a concept as Ukrainian or Belarus anarchists. There are nations, nationalists and nazi - that's for sure. But no anarchist can be found among them.

anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/05/2025 - 12:04

In reply to by GTA (not verified)

11:50, you seem to be responding sincerely to a post that is humorously making a similar point to yours. we appreciate your input. keep up the good work.

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