Pro-Russian Latvian moves to Russia, gets forcibly conscripted into the Russian army

Sergei Mulivanov, a 59-year-old Latvian supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine who moved to Russia two years ago, was sent to the war in late October after signing a military contract while in pre-trial detention. His case highlights how people facing criminal prosecution in Russia may be sent to fight after agreeing to join the military.

Mulivanov had been arrested in April and charged with fraud, which he denied. His friends and lawyer say he was tricked into signing the contract; Russian authorities told him and his lawyer on 28 October that he would be sent to war. Friends and family say he has since been out of contact for six days. Ukraine’s General Staff estimated Russia lost 54,400 soldiers in October, its highest monthly figure since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.