June 19, 2023

Military Against War


Military Against War
83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade's artillery exercise with D-30, 2S9, Kornet ATGM, 2B11.
Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Wikimedia Commons

The Russian military has created a secret anti-Putin organization called Orden Respubliki ("Order of the Republic"). The organization's existence became known via an interview with Lieutenant of the Russian Aerospace Forces Dmitry Mishov.

A combat helicopter pilot, Mishov escaped from Russia to avoid being sent to the front and applied for refugee status in Lithuania. According to Mishov, he turned to Orden Respubliki to smuggle himself across the border. Orden Respubliki is comprised of officers who have a negative attitude toward Putin and the war with Ukraine. 

"I wrote to them via Telegram. They listened to my story and said they would help," Mishov said. "They created a route for me so that I wouldn’t run into a border guards’ outpost."

Journalists from Mozhem Obyasnit  interviewed representatives of Orden Respubliki via Telegram. The interviewees said the association was formed about a year ago on the basis of a secret officer’s club that consisted of former and current military personnel. After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the club members decided to "act to the best of their abilities." 

Representatives of Orden Respubliki said they are fighting against "an organized criminal group that has seized all the levers of power in Russia and is holding 140 million people hostage." They advocate for the transformation of Russia into a parliamentary republic and the immediate cessation of the war in Ukraine. According to those interviewed, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian General Staff of the Armed Forces have violated the laws of war, and Russia should not have invaded Ukraine because "It is impossible to fight with relatives."

Representatives of Orden Respubliki said their main activity is "intelligence in exile." What they meant by this is unknown. At the same time, they said that Orden Respubliki is not connected with the Military Forces of Ukraine, the Legion Svoboda Rossy, or the Russky Dobrovolchesky Korpus

This is not the first time that members of the Russian military have come out in opposition to the war with Ukraine. In particular, paratrooper Pavel Filantyev, who participated at the beginning of the invasion, condemned the aggression against Ukraine, fled the country, and published a book about the war. As well, a retired Air Forces major organized individual pickets with pacifist appeals in Belgorod. And in Tambov a former military man and founder of a military-patriotic club publicly urged his former cadets not to participate in the war against Ukraine. For this, he was charged with discrediting the Russian army.

You Might Also Like

  • June 14, 2023

"Go Defend Your Homeland"

In Chechnya, law enforcement uses threats and blackmail to send LGBT persons, drug users, and "disloyal" citizens to war.
ROC: Pacifism is Heresy
  • June 15, 2023

ROC: Pacifism is Heresy

A Russian Orthodox priest called for peace. In response, the church said pacifism is "incompatible" with Orthodox teachings.
Shooting up Deeres
  • June 12, 2023

Shooting up Deeres

Russian military claims anti-tank successes, but pro-Kremlin analysts beg to differ.
War and Beef
  • June 07, 2023

War and Beef

Sculptures of soldiers and tanks made from ground meat are making waves.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955