Putin conscript has sledgehammer-wielding pal break arm to dodge Ukraine draft

Horrifying footage has emerged of what is reportedly a Russian reservist's arm being broken by a sledgehammer-wielding pal in an attempt to swerve Vladimir Putin's draft.

Russian officials have been forced to warn against such self-mutilation following Putin's mobilisation of some 300,000 reservists to the frontline in Ukraine.

In the video, the draftee appears holding his left arm out over a bench while covering his face with his other arm.

READ MORE: Russia says it has set traps to 'capture' men as thousands flee Putin's mobilisation

The friend then brings the long-handled sledgehammer up before smashing a heavy blow to the arm of the would-be soldier.

He then shoots to his feet, swearing and clearly in agony, as the friend who dealt the blow slinks off.

From a distance, the friend can be heard saying: “Kolyan, is everything all right? F***, yeah?”

A woman’s voice says: “Why did he run away?” The draftee then says: “He promised to strike me.”

Two women then appear in the frame, inspecting the arm that has been struck.

One asks: “Was it hard? [But] did he fail to break your arm?”

The friend then asks: “What do you mean? I didn’t…?”

The video concludes with it unclear whether the reservist's arm was broken by the strike.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

It is also not clear whether the injury was enough to save him from being sent to Ukraine.

In a similar bid to dodge the draft, other Russian men have resorted to fleeing their homeland to countries such as Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

Satellite images have shown a 10-mile long queue of vehicles stretching along the Russia-Georgian border at the Verkhny Lars checkpoint.

Flights out of the country sold out following Putin's announcement.

READ NEXT:

• UK, EU and United States are all 'running out' of weapons to send to the Ukraine

• Putin forced to hike vodka price in Russia due to crippling Ukraine war sanctions

• Brits still in Russia told 'get out now or risk Putin sending you to fight in Ukraine'

• Wild website lets you write messages on Ukrainian bombs to be fired at Russians

• Sick Russian war ritual where bagged-up POWs are forced to crawl through beatings

Source: Read Full Article