#ObjectWar! – Page 30

UPDATES on the #ObjectWarCampaign

Dear friends and colleagues,

The #ObjectWarCampaign is ongoing and is developing and spreading in many countries.

We thank you for your support.

Recently we have been able to engage in specific actions of support such as the #protection4olga for Olga Karatch from Belarus and #freepeacespeech for Yurii Sheliazhenko from Ukraine. We are following up on their cases and invite everyone to continue to join international solidarity actions for them.

Following the public events organized in several countries on the occasion of the International Conscientious Objection Day, last May 15^th, we have been developing further ideas and actions regarding the #ObjectWarCampaign in support of deserters and conscientious objectors from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

The wives and family of enlisted Ukrainian soldiers have gathered at Independence Square in Kyiv to call for the right to voluntarily demobilise after 18 months

“Our servicemen are strong, but they are not robots,” protesters shouted during the rally.

By Payday, October 27, 2023

In the first weeks after the invasion, hundreds of thousands of ordinary Ukrainians volunteered to serve at the front, the Guardian has reported. But many of those initial recruits are now dead, wounded or simply exhausted, and the army needs new recruits to fill the ranks. However, most of those who want to fight have already signed up, leaving the military to recruit among a much more reluctant pool of men.

‘What’s this all for?’: Russian deserters call on former comrades to join them

The Guardian, October 26, 2023

Sitting in a basement studio hidden in the centre of Yerevan, Artyom reflected on his decision to desert the Russian army after a year spent fighting in Ukraine.

Just two weeks earlier, the former platoon commander was living in a trench. He has since abandoned his post and fled to the Armenian capital.

“I did not want to participate in this war. I wanted no part in the imperialistic habits of our ruler,” he said. “But I do feel guilt in front of Ukraine. Guilt that I didn’t do this earlier … I could have said no, I just didn’t know what the consequences would be.” (…more)