Step-by-step protocols for servicemen and their loved ones: a safe way out of the war, legal protection, OPSEC, first aid, and ways to avoid taking part in criminal orders.
Quick exit The Esc key instantly closes the page
Save it Any guide can be printed to PDF
No login No accounts or registration forms
Find the right protocol14 guides in results
Operational Guides
All materials
Expand a card to see ready-made wording and the sequence of actions.
Please noteExiting combat requires composure. Avoid Russian barrier troops and conceal your intentions from commanders until the last moment.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Universal procedure for surrender signal:
1. Weapon unloaded, magazine detached, bolt in rear position, hanging muzzle down.
2. Hands raised above head, holding white cloth or unrolled bandage.
3. Radio call (frequency 149.200): callsign 'Volga'.
4. Vocal call: 'I surrender, do not shoot!'
Sequence of actions5 steps in sequence
1
Concealing Intentions and Choosing the Moment
Never share surrender plans with comrades or command. Choose a moment of maximum chaos: artillery strike, night watch shift, reconnaissance mission, or separation from the group during movement.
Important: Any leak of information to a commander will result in detention in a pit or being shot in the back.
2
Preparing Weapon and Visual Signals
Detach the magazine from the assault rifle, cock the bolt, and put it on safety. Sling the rifle over your left shoulder, muzzle strictly downwards. Prepare a piece of white cloth, a light-colored T-shirt, or an unrolled medical bandage.
Important: Never run towards positions with a weapon in your hands or at the ready — you will be shot as an attacker.
3
Exiting the Visibility Zone of Barrier Troops
Move towards enemy positions using terrain folds, gullies, lowlands, or dense tree lines. Avoid open areas controlled by Russian quadcopters and barrier troops.
Important: Move without haste to avoid arousing suspicion from observers in the rear.
4
Identifying Yourself Before Enemy Positions
At a distance of 100-150 meters from Ukrainian positions, stop, raise your hands high, gently waving the white cloth. Shout loudly: 'I surrender, do not shoot!'. If you have a radio, switch to 149.200 and call out the callsign 'Volga'.
Important: Do not make sudden movements towards pockets or your tactical vest — this will be perceived as an attempt to retrieve a grenade.
5
Approach and Following Commands of the Clearing Group
Do not run if a Ukrainian Armed Forces UAV appears. Raise your hands and take slow steps in the direction of the drone's movement. When the inspection group approaches, lie face down on the ground, extend your hands forward palms up, and clearly follow all commands.
Important: Full compliance with commands guarantees preservation of life and medical care.
02 SabotageHigh caution 6 min
Frontline Sabotage of Orders, Equipment, and Supplies
Please noteAny sabotage must appear as a natural breakdown, a consequence of substandard supplies, or inevitable wear and tear of equipment.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Formulations for reporting malfunctions to commanders:
- "Engine seized due to overheating during a dusty march"
- "Radio burned out due to a voltage surge in the onboard network"
- "Barrel bulged due to dirt ingress during movement"
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Disabling Tracked and Wheeled Vehicles
In dusty areas, block the radiator louvers, drain some antifreeze, or cover the fins with dirt. The engine will seize from overheating within 10-15 minutes of movement. Getting dry dirt or sand into the oil filler will disable the piston group without external signs of intent.
Important: When mechanics ask, answer: "We were moving in a column through dust, the temperature sensor failed."
2
Sabotage of Communications and Electronics
Loosen battery terminals, remove or file down the main fuses for the starter and radios. Leave the master switch and headlights on overnight for a complete battery discharge before departure.
Important: A discharged battery will disrupt the company's departure for a "meat assault" (human wave attack).
3
Damaging Ammunition and Small Arms
Allow moisture and dirt to get into the chambers and barrel bores. Minor abrasive material in the chamber leads to cartridge jams and stuck casings during firing, disabling the weapon in combat.
Important: A malfunctioning automatic rifle is a legal reason to withdraw to the rear for maintenance.
4
Simulating Impossibility of Orders and Delaying Time
Upon receiving an order to advance, simulate a lack of communication, a vehicle breakdown, or getting lost on the map. Every 2-3 hour delay crushes the assault plan and saves lives.
Important: A delayed departure disrupts artillery support for the attack and forces command to postpone the offensive.
03 SabotageHigh caution 6 min
Protection and Actions During Illegal Detention in Basements and Pits
Please noteIllegal detention of military personnel in pits and basements constitutes a criminal offense (Articles 127, 286 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Sample note / message to relatives from the place of detention:
I, [Full Name, Rank, Military Unit], since [Date], have been illegally detained by military police / the commander of military unit [Number] in the locality [Name/Coordinates].
An urgent statement to the Main Military Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation regarding illegal deprivation of liberty and assault is required.
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Legal Documentation of Illegal Arrest
Demand the presentation of an arrest protocol or a procedural decision from a military court. Remind them that detention outside a garrison guardhouse grossly violates the Charter of the Russian Armed Forces.
Important: Record the names, ranks, call signs, and distinguishing features of the individuals carrying out the detention/guarding.
2
Covert Transmission of Information to Relatives
At the first opportunity, send a note or a short SMS to relatives, indicating the exact location (settlement, basement, pit), date of detention, and the full name of the commander.
Important: Relatives must immediately file a report of kidnapping with the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.
3
Documenting Bodily Injuries and Lack of Medical Aid
Remember the dates of assaults, names of fellow servicemen who witnessed them, and symptoms of exacerbated chronic illnesses.
Important: Immediately after release, seek medical attention at a civilian hospital to document injuries.
4
Conduct When Coerced into Assault
Do not sign agreements to participate in 'meat grinder' assaults. Refer to your inability to perform tasks due to health conditions and the submission of a formal report.
Important: Mass unification of detained soldiers reduces the risk of individual reprisal.
04 RelativesMinimal risk 6 min
Family Complaints: Algorithm to Prevent Frontline Deployment
Please noteFamily members are the only force capable of legally blocking a serviceman's deployment to certain death. File your appeals immediately.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
To the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation
From [Full Name of Relative, Address, Phone Number]
Regarding serviceman: [Full Name of Soldier, Rank, Military Unit Number]
STATEMENT OF CRIME AND VIOLATION OF RIGHTS
I bring to your attention that serviceman [Full Name], currently in military unit [Number], is being coerced by the unit commander into participating in assault operations without undergoing a military medical commission (VVK), despite having severe illnesses / concussions [specify].
I request:
1. An urgent prosecutorial investigation be conducted regarding the command of military unit [Number].
2. Measures be taken to send [Full Name] for a VVK and suspend his deployment to the combat zone.
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Gathering Evidence
Collect medical certificates, extracts from civilian hospitals, audio recordings of conversations, screenshots of the soldier's messages about denial of medical care and threats from commanders.
Important: The more documents and precise dates you have, the harder it is for the prosecutor's office to dismiss your complaint.
2
Filing Emergency Complaints with the Military Prosecutor's Office
Send electronic and written appeals to the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Defense. Demand an incoming registration number.
Important: File complaints simultaneously with all authorities in the chain.
3
Appealing to the Human Rights Commissioner
Submit a statement to the Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation and the regional ombudsman at the unit's location. Appeals from relatives regarding torture, detention in pits, and denial of medical care are subject to priority consideration.
Important: Highlight the direct risk of death due to the commander's unlawful actions.
4
Public Resonance and Collective Appeals
Unite with relatives of fellow servicemen. Collective appeals and mass filing of complaints force the command to withdraw the unit from the front line for inspections.
Important: A collective report from mothers breaks the plans for 'meat assaults'.
05 RelativesMinimal risk 7 min
Searching for a Missing Person: Step-by-Step Algorithm for Families (AWOL, Captivity, DNA)
Please noteUnit commanders often delay official recognition of a soldier as captured or deceased.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Algorithm for initial inquiries when contact is lost (more than 14 days):
1. Request to the unit commander [Number] for official status of the soldier.
2. Submission of DNA material by close relatives (parents, children) to the forensic medical examination bureau.
3. Appeal to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Inquiry to the Military Unit and Military Commissariat
Submit a written request to the military commissar at the place of conscription and to the commander of the military unit, demanding clarification of the serviceman's status (on a combat mission, hospital, captivity, AWOL, missing in action).
Important: Demand an extract from the order on exclusion from the unit's rosters or recognition as missing in action. If the reply says SOCh (AWOL) although he was sent on a mission, see the guide "Listed as AWOL Instead of Missing".
2
DNA Sample Submission by Relatives
Parents or children of the serviceman must contact the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation at their place of residence to obtain a referral for free DNA profile submission.
Important: The DNA profile is entered into a unified database for cross-referencing with unidentified fellow servicemen.
3
Search Open Registries and Prisoner Lists
Check the cards of the International Committee of the Red Cross and other official lists of prisoners.
Important: If you find a photo or video with a prisoner, immediately send the link to the ombudsman.
4
Check Military Hospitals and Branches of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Send inquiries to central military hospitals (named after Burdenko, Vishnevsky, Kirov) to rule out the serviceman being in intensive care unconscious.
Important: Many wounded arrive without documents under technical numbers.
06 RelativesMinimal risk 8 min
Listed as AWOL Instead of Missing: How Families Can Challenge the Status and Restore Payments
Please noteAn order declaring a soldier AWOL ("SOCh" — unauthorised abandonment of the unit) stops his pay from the date named by the commander and blocks the payments owed to the family of a missing or killed serviceman. It will not correct itself: the family needs an order declaring him missing in action, which takes evidence that he was sent on a combat mission and written pressure on the unit through the military prosecutor.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
To the Military Prosecutor of the [name] garrison
Copy: Commander of military unit [number]
From [applicant's full name], [relationship], address: [address], tel.: [phone]
COMPLAINT
against an unlawful order declaring a serviceman to have abandoned his unit without leave
My [son / husband / brother] [full name], [date of birth], [rank], military unit [number], left on [date] to carry out a combat mission in the area of [locality / axis], after which contact with him was lost. By order of the commander of military unit [number] of [date, if known] he was declared to have abandoned the unit without leave (SOCh).
I consider the order unlawful. The serviceman did not leave his place of service of his own will; he went missing while carrying out a combat mission. This is confirmed by: [last messages of [date] about leaving on the mission; statements of fellow soldiers [names / call signs, contacts]; answers from the command / deputy commander of [date]; other information]. As far as I know, no official inquiry into his absence was carried out, or its results were not communicated to me.
The SOCh status violates the rights of his family. Under paras. 107–108 of the Procedure for Paying Military Allowances (Order of the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation No. 727 of 06.12.2019) payment of his allowance has been suspended, and the family is deprived of the payments due under paras. 109–111 of the Procedure to families of servicemen who are missing.
I request that you:
1. Review the lawfulness of the order declaring [full name] to have abandoned the unit without leave.
2. Establish whether an official inquiry into his absence was conducted and obtain its materials (combat orders, combat log, statements of commanders and fellow soldiers).
3. If violations are confirmed, issue a demand to revoke the SOCh order and to issue an order declaring the serviceman missing in action while carrying out a combat mission.
4. Take measures to organise a search for the serviceman, including checking the lists of wounded, killed and captured.
5. Inform me in writing of the results within the time limit set by Federal Law No. 59-FZ of 02.05.2006.
Attachments: copies of documents proving kinship; dated screenshots of messages; contacts of witnesses; copy of the SOCh order (if available); replies from the unit (if any).
[Date] [Signature]
Sequence of actions6 steps in sequence
1
Immediately preserve everything that proves the combat mission
The key argument against SOCh is that the soldier did not run away — he was sent on a mission. Take screenshots of his last messages, voice notes and photos with the date and time, especially if he wrote "going out on a mission", "moving to positions" or reported a wound. Write down the names, call signs and phone numbers of fellow soldiers who saw him on the mission or know of his death, and everything the commander or deputy commander said to you verbally.
Important: Messages can disappear: chats get deleted, numbers change. If the correspondence is critical, have a notary certify it with an inspection report — courts accept such a document without disputes over authenticity.
2
Request the order and the inquiry results from the unit in writing
Under SOCh, pay is suspended from the date named in the commander's order and resumed based on the results of an inquiry (para. 107 of the Procedure, Defence Ministry Order No. 727). Send the unit commander a registered letter with a list of contents, or submit a request through the military enlistment office: ask for an extract from the SOCh order and for information on the official inquiry and search measures. By law the reply is due within 30 days (Federal Law No. 59-FZ).
Important: If they refuse citing personal data, point out that the order directly affects the family's right to payments under paras. 109–111 of the same Procedure, and attach the refusal to your complaint to the prosecutor.
3
File a complaint with the military prosecutor
The military prosecutor's office reviews the lawfulness of commanders' orders. Send a complaint (ready-made text at the top of this page) to the military prosecutor of the garrison the unit belongs to, with a copy to the commander. In parallel you can file through the online reception of the Prosecutor General's Office, choosing the Main Military Prosecutor's Office. The key request is to revoke the SOCh order and issue an order declaring him missing in action while carrying out a combat mission.
Important: Reviews take months — families report waiting up to 7–8 months. Do not wait for the answer before taking the next steps: they run in parallel.
4
Secure a missing-in-action order — payments depend on it
The family of a missing serviceman receives his monthly allowance. It is paid to the spouse or other family members who lived with him, based on the commander's order on his disappearance and an application from a family member (paras. 109–111 of the Procedure). While the unit's SOCh order stands, these payments will not be granted. So the goal of every complaint is not just to "remove SOCh" but to obtain a missing-in-action order.
Important: Once such an order is issued, submit an application to the unit for payment of the allowance to the family. The military enlistment office at your place of residence helps prepare it.
5
Court: declaring him missing and declaring him dead
If there has been no information about the soldier for six months, including because the commander did not provide it, interested persons may apply to court to have him declared missing (Art. 23 of Federal Law No. 52-FZ for participants in the "special military operation"). If he disappeared in circumstances that threatened death, he can be declared dead after six months, or three months after a court decision declaring him missing (Art. 24 of the same law). The application is filed with the court at the applicant's place of residence. Relatives of participants are exempt from the state fee (Federal Law No. 230-FZ of 23.07.2025). A document describing the circumstances of the disappearance may be attached.
Important: The evidence from step 1 matters most in court: it shows he disappeared on a mission rather than leaving on his own. It determines which date and circumstances the court states in its decision.
6
Challenging the order itself and other channels
A commander's order can be challenged in a garrison military court under the Code of Administrative Procedure — usually within three months of learning about it. Such a claim is filed by the serviceman himself or his representative under a power of attorney. If there is no power of attorney, discuss the family's standing to sue with a military lawyer, and meanwhile act through the prosecutor and the civil court (steps 3 and 5). Appeals to the regional human rights ombudsman and to a deputy also help, as does DNA submission by relatives for matching against unidentified remains.
Important: Submit a search request for the soldier on this site ("Missing in action" → "Submit a request") or via the Telegram bot: a public card with a number helps fellow soldiers and other families get in touch and confirm the circumstances.
07 OPSECMinimal risk 5 min
Operational Security (OPSEC): Smartphone Protection and Tracking Prevention
Please noteFSB Counterintelligence and Military Police conduct strict device inspections. The presence of prohibited subscriptions or geotags leads to deployment to assault companies.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Rules for cleaning your smartphone before inspection:
1. Completely disable GPS for the camera and all messengers.
2. In Telegram: Settings -> Data and Storage -> Storage Usage -> Clear Cache.
3. Delete photos of military equipment, positions, and local landmarks.
4. Use only a 6-digit PIN code (disable FaceID and fingerprints).
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Complete Geodata Cleanup
In device settings, disable geolocation for the Camera app and messengers. Photos with GPS enabled allow counterintelligence and enemy reconnaissance to instantly pinpoint your base coordinates.
Important: A photo with GPS is a ready-made target for artillery strikes.
2
Configuring Messenger Stealth
In Telegram, enable auto-delete messages (24-hour timer). Hide your phone number, profile photo, and last seen time. Disable automatic saving of photos and videos to the gallery.
Important: Regularly clear the memory cache in the app settings.
3
Creating a Neutral Profile
During an inspection, an empty phone raises suspicion. Keep neutral apps on your device (games, sports news, cooking) so your profile looks like an ordinary person's phone.
Important: Don't delete everything to zero — keep some camouflage content.
4
Device Protection During Inspection
Never use fingerprint or FaceID unlock — during an inspection, your finger or face will be forcibly applied. Use a complex 6-digit PIN code. If an inspection is imminent, switch your phone to power-saving mode or turn it off.
Important: A turned-off device with a PIN code requires time to crack.
08 OPSECModerate risk 6 min
Anonymous Transmission of Coordinates and Information: Protection from EW and FSB
Please noteTransmitting information about command posts, warehouses, and troop deployments cripples the aggressor's capabilities, but requires strict anonymity.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Algorithm for secure data transmission:
1. Use a clean Tor browser or a VPN with double encryption (Double VPN).
2. Upload images without EXIF metadata (use EXIF cleaners).
3. Use one-time encrypted accounts not linked to a personal SIM card.
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Preparing an untraceable device and connection
Use a separate smartphone not linked to your identity, without a personal SIM card inserted. Connect only to third-party Wi-Fi networks or via anonymous eSIMs.
Important: Never transmit coordinates from your main personal phone.
2
Removing EXIF Metadata from Photos and Videos
Before sending photos of a command post or equipment, remove EXIF data using special applications or send files as a document after preliminary cleaning.
Important: EXIF contains the camera's serial number and precise GPS coordinates.
3
Using Secure Chatbots and Proxies
Transmit data only to secure chatbots of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine or verified OSINT projects using an encrypted connection.
Important: After sending, immediately clear the chat and delete the temporary application.
4
Systematic Clearing of Device RAM
Perform a factory reset of the device after completing the transmission of important information.
Important: A full reset leaves no traces of the transmission.
09 Legal & BoardModerate risk 5 min
Legal Refusal of Illegal Orders and Requesting a Military Medical Examination
Please noteVerbal refusal of an order leads to a criminal case or detention. Every request must be documented on paper in 2 copies.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
To the Commander of Military Unit [Unit Number]
From [Rank, Full Name, Position]
REPORT
Based on Article 356 of the Internal Service Regulations of the Russian Armed Forces and Order No. 555 of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, I report that due to the deterioration of my health [symptoms], I am physically unable to execute the order. I request assistance in being directed to a Military Medical Commission (VVK) to determine my fitness category.
Date: [DD.MM.YYYY]
Signature: _________ / [Full Name]
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Documenting Health Deterioration with Medical Personnel
In case of injury, concussion, or illness, contact the medical aid station. Demand that your complaints be recorded in the outpatient log. Photograph the page of the log.
Important: The entry in the log is your first legal proof.
2
Submitting a Written Report for a Military Medical Commission (VVK)
Write a report addressed to the commander in 2 copies. Demand that your copy be stamped with an incoming registration stamp, date, and signature of the receiving person.
Important: Keep the second copy with the mark on you.
3
Legal Argumentation Under Pressure
If threatened under Article 332 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, state: 'I am not refusing military service, but rather declaring my inability to perform tasks due to my health condition until I undergo a Military Medical Commission (VVK).' Refer to Article 42 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (non-execution of a knowingly illegal order).
Important: Clear legal formulations defuse the commander's aggression.
4
Sending Copies to Relatives
Immediately send a photo of the registered report to relatives for submitting duplicate complaints to the Military Prosecutor's Office.
Important: Pressure from the home front strengthens the soldier's position.
10 Legal & BoardMinimal risk 7 min
Step-by-Step Medical Discharge by VVK (Categories 'V' and 'D') and Appealing Denials
Please noteMilitary doctors often conceal the severity of diagnoses and assign category 'A' or 'B' contrary to the Regulations on Military Medical Examination.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
To the Central Military Medical Commission of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
From [Rank, Full Name, Military Unit]
COMPLAINT AGAINST VVK CONCLUSION
I disagree with the conclusion of the VVK of military unit [Number] dated [Date], which established fitness category [Letter]. Based on examination results, I have diagnoses: [List], which fall under Article [Number] of the Schedule of Diseases (Appendix to VVE Regulations No. 565).
I request a control examination to be conducted and fitness category "D" (unfit) / "V" (partially fit) to be established.
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Studying the Schedule of Diseases (Government Decree No. 565)
Find your diagnoses in the official Schedule of Diseases. Compare medical formulations from civilian clinic extracts with the criteria of the Schedule's articles.
Important: Precise matching of the medical diagnosis to the article is the key to category 'D' or 'V'.
Demand referrals for objective examinations (brain MRI for concussions, CT of joints and spine). Keep scans and discs with you.
Important: Without MRI/CT scans, VVK doctors claim there is no pathology.
3
Filing a Complaint with a Higher VVK and Court
If you disagree with the VVK's decision, immediately file a complaint with a higher VVK and an administrative lawsuit with the garrison military court. Filing a lawsuit suspends the execution of the conclusion.
Important: Judicial challenge blocks deployment to the front line for the duration of the process.
4
Obtaining a Certificate of Illness and Discharge Order
Upon approval of category 'D', demand the issuance of a certificate of illness and the commander's order for exclusion from the lists.
Important: Control the dispatch of documents from the VVK to the unit.
11 Legal & BoardMinimal risk 6 min
Protecting Conscripts from Forced Contract Signing
Please notePressure on conscripts to sign contracts is a systemic practice. A signature obtained under duress is subject to challenge.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Statement of Refusal to Conclude a Military Service Contract:
To the Commander of Military Unit [Number]
I, conscript [Full Name, Rank], categorically declare my refusal to conclude a military service contract. Any signatures on a contract obtained through psychological pressure or deception are declared invalid.
Signature: _________ / [Full Name]
Date: [DD.MM.YYYY]
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Categorical Written and Oral Refusal
Never sign documents titled 'Military Service Contract,' 'Candidate Questionnaire,' or blank forms.
Important: Refusal to conclude a contract is not a crime or a violation of the Charter.
2
Documenting Facts of Psychological Pressure and Threats
If threatened with deployment to a disciplinary battalion or 'to the front line,' record the dates of conversations, names of political officers (zampolits), and recruiters.
Important: Threats from commanders constitute a criminal offense (Article 286 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
3
Urgent Statement from Relatives to the Military Prosecutor's Office
The conscript's relatives must submit a statement to the garrison Military Prosecutor's Office and soldiers' mothers committees regarding facts of coercion into a contract.
Important: A prosecutorial investigation stops recruitment in the unit.
4
Submitting a Report to Declare the Contract Invalid
If the signature was falsified or extracted under torture, submit a report to withdraw the signature and file a statement with the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation regarding falsification.
Important: Handwriting expertise conclusively annuls a fake signature.
12 First AidMinimal risk 4 min
Tactical Medicine: Stopping Bleeding When Evacuation is Unavailable
Please noteThe first 3 minutes in arterial bleeding are critical. The tourniquet must be on your plate carrier/chest rig, easily accessible with both hands.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Self-aid Protocol:
1. Bleeding: Apply tourniquet High and Tight.
2. Breathing: For chest wounds — seal with an occlusive dressing/packet.
3. Position: Unconscious — turn onto side.
4. Warming: Cover with a thermal blanket.
Sequence of actions4 steps in sequence
1
Stopping Massive Bleeding
In case of an arm or leg wound, immediately apply a tourniquet as high as possible on the limb. Tighten the windlass until the bright red blood flow completely stops. Mark the time of application on the casualty's forehead.
Important: If bleeding does not stop — apply a second tourniquet above the first.
2
Ensuring Airway Patency
If a comrade is unconscious, immediately turn them onto their side. Clear their mouth of dirt and vomit. An unconscious person lying on their back can suffocate due to their tongue falling back.
Important: Never leave a casualty on their back.
3
Sealing Chest Wounds
In case of a bullet or shrapnel wound to the chest, immediately seal the wound with an occlusive dressing or a packet with tape to prevent pneumothorax. Check the back for an exit wound.
Important: Use any dense, impermeable material.
4
Preventing Hypothermia and Shock
Cover the casualty with a thermal/rescue blanket. Blood loss leads to an immediate drop in body temperature and impaired blood clotting.
Please noteConfirming your status and notifying your family takes time — it is not instant. Patience and precisely following the rules at this stage matter as much as the surrender itself.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Contact the Commanders of Failure team — we'll help you get oriented and coordinate a safe exit:
Telegram bot: t.me/komandiry_bot ("Anonymous support" section)
Secure email: komandiry@proton.me (supports PGP encryption, no phone number required)
You can write in advance, before you're actually captured, giving approximate coordinates and expected time of crossing ("advance surrender").
Sequence of actions5 steps in sequence
1
What you are required to disclose — and nothing more
Under the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (Third Convention, Art. 17), you are only required to give your surname, first name, rank, date of birth, and service number (if any). Demanding further information from you violates the Convention. Refusing to answer additional questions is not grounds for punishment.
Important: A calm, polite tone reduces the risk of conflict during the initial search/processing.
2
What the receiving side commits to
Ukraine is a party to the Geneva Conventions, and any prisoner of war on its territory is formally under their protection: humane treatment, medical care, no violence or humiliation. There is an officially stated option to be exchanged for Ukrainian POWs on a voluntary basis, and an option to request asylum in Ukraine or European countries. The Commanders of Failure team can help you get oriented in the process and pass on the necessary information to the right intake channels.
Important: These are Ukraine's international-law obligations as a state, not a court ruling on your specific case — stay calm and follow the instructions of the receiving group.
3
The role of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Under the mandate of the Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross has the right to visit POW camps, check detention conditions, and pass short messages ("capsules") between a prisoner and their family. Ask to be registered by ICRC representatives at the first opportunity — this is your official entry point into the tracking system.
Important: ICRC registration is the most reliable proof that you are alive and under the protection of international law.
4
How relatives find out and confirm your status
Relatives should contact the "I Want to Find" project (the unified search center for Russian servicemen in Ukraine) and enter any new information about the missing person into their personal account with Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters. The Russian side also eventually receives official notification through the Russian Ministry of Defense and the ICRC, but this process can take weeks.
Important: If you get any chance to communicate (via the ICRC, a call), tell your family your full name, the date, and the approximate location where you surrendered.
5
Registering in advance
You can write to the Commanders of Failure team in advance — via the bot or secure email, before you are actually captured, indicating your approximate coordinates and expected time of crossing ("advance surrender"). This helps you get oriented ahead of time and can simplify the meeting with the receiving group.
Important: Filing a request does not commit you to anything — if circumstances change, you break no rules by simply not making contact.
14 Legal & BoardModerate risk 6 min
Terminating Your Contract: Grounds That Actually Work Under Ongoing Mobilization
Please noteSince 2022, military service contracts are automatically extended for the duration of mobilization/martial law. Courts routinely reject discharge requests based on mobilization alone — you need a separate, documented ground.
Ready-made textYou can copy it and fill in your own details
Report to the unit commander:
I request termination of my military service contract on the grounds of [specify the exact ground — relevant clause of Art. 51, Federal Law No. 53-FZ] and request that materials be forwarded to the military medical commission / for discharge review.
Attachment: [medical documents / documents on family circumstances / court ruling].
Sequence of actions5 steps in sequence
1
Know the actual list of grounds
Current court practice recognizes, in effect, three grounds that work: unfitness for military service on health grounds (VVK category "D" or "V"), reaching the age limit for service (50 for most contract soldiers), and an enforced criminal conviction. The argument "I no longer want to serve because of mobilization" is not accepted by courts.
Important: See the separate guide "Step-by-Step VVK Discharge" for the detailed medical commission process.
2
Family circumstances — a narrow but not closed path
Some sources point to the possibility of termination on family-circumstance grounds (sole breadwinner, caring for a disabled close relative of group I, a spouse's pregnancy or childcare needs). Each ground requires official documents and command's recognition — in practice, the outcome depends heavily on the specific unit and the commander's willingness to sign off.
Important: Gather documents in advance and submit your report in writing with a signed registration receipt — verbal promises from commanders mean nothing.
3
Don't confuse termination with unauthorized absence
Leaving service without a completed discharge is classified under Art. 337 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Unauthorized abandonment of a unit") — criminal liability applies after just one day of absence. The formal contract-termination procedure is the only legal path, however slow it may seem.
Important: Even if you are fully confident you are in the right, do not leave your unit before receiving an official decision — that turns an administrative dispute into a criminal one.
4
If the unit itself is breaching the contract
A contract is a two-way document. If command systematically breaches its terms (fails to pay owed allowances, uses you outside the specialty stated in the contract, denies your entitled leave), this can be grounds for termination on the serviceman's initiative — but it requires written documentation of every violation.
Important: Keep a personal log with dates: missed payments, violations, refusals — these records become your evidence base.
5
Where to complain if you are refused
If the commander refuses to accept your report or respond on its merits, send a written complaint to the garrison military prosecutor's office and, in parallel, to the Main Military Prosecutor's Office of Russia. Keep a copy of your report and the refusal, and pass copies to relatives.
Important: A parallel complaint from relatives to the prosecutor's office (see the "Relatives' Complaints" guide) adds pressure on the unit.
Prepare in advance
Save the guide you need before you lose connection
Open a card and print the page or save it as a PDF to your device.