A 21-year-old man in Russia’s Dagestan region has reportedly died after being conscripted into the army, as the country grapples with anti-war protests across the nation. The man, identified as Magomed Omarov, died within days after being recruited despite having health issues. The incident has sparked outrage and added fuel to the ongoing demonstrations against President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization order. On Wednesday, demonstrators clashed with police and set vehicles ablaze in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan. A series of protests have erupted in numerous cities across Russia since Putin announced a partial military mobilization last week, a move that has raised fears of a wider conflict with Ukraine. In Dagestan, protesters initially gathered near a house where conscription notices were being served but were later dispersed by security forces. The demonstrations then moved to the city center, where videos posted on social media showed protesters throwing stones and setting police cars on fire. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, with multiple arrests reported. The protests in Dagestan mark a significant escalation of the anti-war movement in Russia. The region is predominantly Muslim and has a history of anti-government sentiment. It is also home to a number of ethnic minorities, including the Avars, Dargins, and Lezgins. The death of Omarov has further fueled the unrest and led to calls for an end to the mobilization order. His family has claimed that he had a heart condition and was not eligible for service. Protests against the military draft have also been reported in other parts of Russia, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk. In Moscow, police detained more than 1,000 people on Saturday during a demonstration in the city center. The protests come as the Russian military faces setbacks in Ukraine with reports of heavy casualties and low morale. The mobilization order has also sparked concerns about the potential for social unrest and economic instability in Russia, which are already facing sanctions and isolation. As of Wednesday, it was unclear if the protests would continue or if the authorities would crack down further. The Kremlin has warned that it will not tolerate any dissent and has vowed to prosecute anyone who participates in unauthorized protests. Despite the risks, the anti-war movement in Russia is gaining momentum, fueled by the anger and desperation of a population that is increasingly weary of the conflict in Ukraine and its consequences..
Protests Over Russia’s Draft Plan Spread to Moscow, 1 Dead in Dagestan
