Investigation finds 20,000 court cases filed in Russia over refusal to serve in military
Russian soldiers stand in formation before the Victory Rally for the 80th anniversary of victory in WWII in Moscow, Russia, 24 April 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE/YURY KOCHETKOV Over the past three years, more than 20,000 cases have been brought to Russian military courts on charges relating to the refusal of individuals to serve in Russia’s armed forces, 17,721 of which have resulted in convictions, independent news outlet Mediazona reported on Thursday based on court data.