Russia expels 115 National Guardsmen who refused to fight in Ukraine
A Russian court has confirmed the expulsion of 115 members of the National Guard who objected to their dismissal after refusing to participate in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This case appears to be the first official confirmation of the soldiers' refusal to participate in the Russian military offensive in Ukraine, which began on February 24.
A military court in the southern Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria said Wednesday it had seen "essential documents" and questioned officials of the National Guard, an internal security force separate from the Russian military.
It concluded that the defendants "arbitrarily refused to perform an official mission."
The court added that the hearing was held behind closed doors to avoid revealing "military secrets".
On Thursday, Russia's Interfax news agency reported, citing the court's media office, that the soldiers had refused to carry out a mission related to the "Moscow Special Operation" in Ukraine.
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