Russian rapper Ivan Vitalievich Petunin, who went by the stage name “Walkie,” was found dead Friday after jumping from his apartment building. The 27-year-old artist from Krasnodar left a video on his Telegram account in which he described his views on the conflict in Ukraine.
A report by 93.ru, a Russian-language news site, reported on the young rapper’s death, describing how he feared that Putin’s partial mobilization of troops could eventually turn into a full mobilization. Petunin reportedly feared being recruited to fight in the war, despite having no military experience, although some Russian soldiers have already confirmed that many of those being sent to Ukraine have not even received basic training.
What he said
In a video shared on Telegram, Petunin said he could not kill for “ideals.”
“If you’re watching this video, then I’m not alive anymore,” says the rapper.
“I can’t carry the sin of murder in my soul and I don’t want to. I am not willing to kill for any ideal. Killing someone in war or otherwise is something I can’t do.”
The rapper had previously served in the Russian Armed Forces, as is required of all 18-27 year olds, and reportedly hated the experience.
In the video, he also called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “maniac” and predicted that the partial mobilization will turn into a full mobilization in a matter of days.
“Forgive me, my loved ones, but sometimes you have to die for your principles. My last decision is exactly how to die,” she said.
Although the young man could have tried to avoid the draft, as almost 200,000 Russians have already done by fleeing to neighboring states such as Finland, Kazakhstan and Georgia, it is unlikely that he would have been able to escape easily. The Russian Armed Forces have reportedly begun setting up makeshift recruitment centers near border checkpoints in an effort to intercept young people fleeing the country.
Had Petunin been drafted and then chosen to abandon his comrades on the battlefield, he would have faced up to 10 years in prison and perhaps mistreatment by Russian forces he would have abandoned in the field.
Young people go to extreme lengths to avoid war
Since Putin’s announcement of a partial mobilization of his troops, reports have revealed the lengths young Russians will go to avoid being deployed to a war zone where defending forces have the upper hand.
A report last week describes a video circulating on Russian social media showing a Russian reservist and a friend trying to break his arm with a sledgehammer so he can’t be deployed to Ukraine.
The footage shows the soldier’s friend lifting the hammer into the air and slamming it as hard as he can against his arm. The soldier covers his face with a cloth using his other arms. At the end of the video, the soldier is seen walking away with a limp arm, cursing as he leaves.
Information of: 19fortyfive.com
