The Story ‘I took a grenade blast to escape’ - Russian deserters speak to The Times
Dec 8, 2025
Jack Clover, Assistant Foreign News Editor at The Times, sheds light on the harrowing tales of Russian deserters from the war in Ukraine. He recounts Nikolai’s drastic choice to self-inflict injury to escape combat, and introduces the backgrounds of other deserters like Alexander and Anton. The discussion reveals the staggering scale of desertion driven by economic hardship and moral conflicts. Clover analyzes how these experiences could impact Russian military effectiveness and the ongoing conflict, painting a poignant picture of survival against the odds.
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Self-Injury To Escape The Front
- Nikolai retreated from an assault order and deliberately shattered his arm with a grenade to get evacuated and avoid certain death.
- He dragged himself to an evacuation point and described overwhelming relief at surviving and leaving the front.
Contracts Target Men In Financial Despair
- Contract soldiers are often recruited from men with financial hardship seeking quick, life-changing pay.
- Jack Clover explains offers of £20k–£40k lure men who are not career soldiers into deadly frontline roles.
Assault Companies Suffer Heavy Losses
- Assault units carry extremely high casualty rates, with most men killed or wounded rapidly.
- Jack Clover reports an assault company losing most of its 45 men within weeks, leaving only a handful uninjured.