The organizing committee of the Russian Anti-War Movement says that “Russia stands at the brink of catastrophe” following Vladimir Putin’s introduction of regular Russian army units into Ukraine, an action that threatens losses equivalent to the war in Afghanistan, a major military conflict in Europe, and a fratricidal war.
Arguing that Putin has violated the Russian Constitution and committed state crimes, the group calls on Russians to engage in acts of peaceful civil disobedience to force the regime to change course, demand that Russians not be sent to Ukraine to fight, and engage in political struggle until the war ends and those responsible for it are removed from power.
It reminds Russian soldiers and officers that they have “the complete right to refuse to obey” illegal orders, that they should not shoot at their fellow Slavs, and that they should reflect on who is “your true enemy: those who have turned you into cannon fodder.”
“To the extent that the continuation of the fratricidal war will inevitably lead to the disintegration of the country, the loss of state sovereignty and territorial integrity, the group further calls on Russian military personnel to “find the strength to fulfill their duty for the defense of the peoples of Russia.”
And to the Ukrainians, whom it calls “dear brothers and sisters,” the organizing group says that “together with you we grieve about those losses which you have borne and continue to bear as a result of the criminal policy of the leadership of Russia! We hope for the speediest end to the bloodletting on the much-suffering Ukrainian land!”
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