Dmitry, whose name has been changed, was among the first group of men to be called up to fight in Ukraine when President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilisation in September last year. But he ignored his summons. "I believe that taking part in this disgrace is a stigma for life," he says.
Dmitry has now been hiding for four months, trapped in his own country and living in fear of being stopped by authorities. Exceptionally, he agreed to tell AFP his story, on condition of anonymity and that his location is not disclosed.