What happened to the Russians Putin mobilized four years ago? Meduza follows two of them — one still at the front, the other now a deserter in Spain.

The “partial mobilization” announced four years ago remains in effect: no decree has ever ended it. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, more than 300,000 people were drafted to fight in the fall of 2022. At least 20,000 have died. Among those mobilized were Maxim, a resident of Pskov (his name and city have been changed), and Temirzhan Bayanov from Omsk. Before he was sent to the front, Maxim had little interest in the war; now he sees Ukrainians as enemies. Temirzhan tried to avoid mobiliza...