The Daily The Deserter: Parts 4 and 5
12 snips
Sep 29, 2024 Sarah A. Topol, a journalist who reported for The New York Times Magazine, dives deep into the harrowing story of Ivan, a captain who deserted the Russian army. She shares gripping accounts of soldiers escaping wartime service, revealing their cunning maneuvers and emotional struggles. The podcast explores personal testimonies of fear, the fight for asylum, and the moral dilemmas faced by these deserters. Each narrative highlights the chaos of military life and the profound toll the war takes on families and society.
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Ivan's Escape Plan
- Ivan, injured and needing a plan to avoid redeployment, feigned a back injury.
- He exaggerated his limp, remembered details from a colleague's injury, and insisted on an MRI.
Navigating the Medical System
- Ivan's journey through field hospitals and Donetsk involved navigating a chaotic medical system.
- He bribed doctors to ensure a recommendation for surgery in Russia.
Return and the Stolen Cane
- Ivan perfected his act, adding a cane for effect, but it was stolen upon his return to Russia.
- He joined countless injured soldiers navigating the military medical system.