‘He had no understanding of what war is’ How the Russian authorities forced a man with an intellectual disability into the army, where he faced threats and abuse

Last year, Alexey Vachrushev, a 22-year-old in western Russia who has an intellectual disability, was coerced by police into signing a military contract — despite having a medical certificate stating he was unfit for service. After enduring abuse and threats at his training center, he fled and returned home, only for the authorities to forcibly send him to the combat zone in Ukraine. Now he’s on the run again, and his mother is fighting for his freedom and right to a trial. Meduza shares an abridged translation of his story, as reported by the Russian outlet Regional Aspect.

Alexey Vachrushev is from the village of Chernovskoye in Russia’s Perm region. In August 2024, his neighbors accused him of stealing food from them. According to his mother, nothing was found when he was searched. Shortly thereafter, however, Alexey was pressured into signing a military service contract.