I am from the Luhansk region. Mobilization began in February. At the enterprise it was said that a certain number of fighters should be sent. The lists were handed over to the military registration and enlistment offices and people were taken directly from their workplaces. In addition, the military commandant's office went, which simply snatched men from the streets, brought them to the military registration and enlistment offices, where they were assigned to the place of collection and attached to the unit. According to the lists, there was a "hunt" for certain people: in any way it was necessary to get a person – even at home, even in a store …
There was no preparation: today you were detained, brought to the military registration and enlistment office, today you were taken to the assembly point, where they gave you a uniform and the most necessary things – a bowler hat, a helmet, a gas mask and indicated which unit you belong to. From there you were taken to where the unit is being formed, and there, after a day or two, you were assigned to a company, squad, platoon, and so on, and issued weapons. Everything is simple – no medical examination, finding out whether he served or not, the military specialty was also of no interest to anyone.
No medical examination, finding out whether he served or not, the military specialty was also of no interest to anyone.
The outfit was issued as follows: a summer uniform, a winter uniform, a Soviet-style belt, a pouch for four horns and a machine gun. The helmet is somewhere around the 50s and 60s – metal, no bulletproof vests. Then for a certain period of time bulletproof vests were given out, about ten pieces per company – and they were not sufficiently equipped with plates. From whom funds allowed, we bought trophy items, already when we were in positions. Relatives collected parcels from home and once a month these parcels arrived with bulletproof vests and helmets. The same is true for communications.
Bulletproof vests could also be bought at Voentorg. The cost depends on the class: someone bought for 40 thousand rubles, someone cheaper. With trophy bulletproof vests or those Russian ones that were left from the wounded guys or from those who had been beaten, they resolved the issue on the spot.
Within two weeks we found ourselves on the front line: for about 4-5 days we were identified and given weapons, then there was another transit point on the territory of Russia. They came not from their territories, but from Russia to the territory of the Kharkov region.
Bulletproof vests were sold and could be bought at Voentorg. The cost depends on the class: someone bought for 40 thousand rubles, someone cheaper.
We spent six and a half months in the war. What was there and what I saw, I do not want to advertise for my own safety. The last straw was that not only our unit, but also a very large number of people from our territory, simply abandoned "big brothers" refused. You know what happened at the beginning of this month. Our "elder brothers" changed their location and withdrew, while ours were left with nothing.
Survived miraculously. On September 6, the Russian army began the evacuation of its military and equipment, we left a day later. Prior to this, they believed that there would be reinforcements and return fire on the enemy, but this did not happen. As a result, it was impossible to stay on those lines, so we decided to leave. When we reached the place where there was communication, we were told that our units, which remained, decided to hold this line themselves. Upon arrival in the Lugansk region, they tried to turn us into deserters and traitors.
We had people in the units, but there was no equipment, even in case of injury, it was possible to take to the hospital only on civilian equipment, which we had in temporary use. We left on one of these, in a truck not intended for military purposes.
80% of those mobilized did not even serve in the army, and those who served did not work in their specialization. How did you survive? They ran fast and hid low, dug in quickly.
During all this time, everyone tried to get out of there by all means, for example, to get into the hospital, because there were a lot of elderly people in the unit. Someone after a certain time went home on vacation and did not return. A vacation is three days on the road, and being at home for a day is about nothing.
There were deaths, but I will not name the number.
During all this time, everyone tried to get out of there by any means, for example, to get into the hospital
Those who are now waiting for mobilization simply do not know what awaits them. I would advise them to avoid getting to the front by any means. I hope that Russia will take into account the grounds on which people can withdraw from mobilization. There is no such status in the "LPR" – they do not look at whether a person is the only breadwinner in the family, or if he is ill with something. At that time and now, recruiters just need a recruiting number.
During the mobilization process in the Lugansk region, there were no criteria for unfitness for military service. I cannot say how the mobilization will be carried out in Russia. Will there be medical examinations, will they take into account the social status of people? Don't know.
We will try not to be at the front again, the sensations were enough for the rest of our lives.