Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Army Recruitment Office Attacked With Molotov Cocktails

A Russian military recruitment office. Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

Two men are on the run after attacking a conscription office in western Siberia with Molotov cocktails. 

In a dramatic video shared by news outlet Baza on Thursday, the pair are seen throwing at least seven Molotovs through the window of a recruitment office in the city of Nizhnevartovsk.

In the clip, flames can be seen both inside the building and its lobby. No one is believed to have been hurt in the attack that reportedly took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Locals called the police who extinguished the blaze, independent news outlet Mediazona reported. A criminal case was subsequently opened against the men, who are yet to be apprehended by the authorities.  

The incident in Nizhnevartovsk follows a string of similar attacks across the country. Five other military recruitment offices have already been targeted by Molotov attacks since the start of Russia’s war with Ukraine on Feb. 24. 

The latest attack coincides with the start of Russia's annual enlistment season for military service.

Military service in Russia is compulsory, with all men required to serve in the army for one year unless exempt for reasons including health problems.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more