Ruslan Zinin, born in 1997, shot a Russian drafting officer after the latter delivered a pep talk about people going to fight the war in Ukraine. Footage shows him using a shotgun and later he’s seen identifying himself to his captors. 

The 25-year-old’s outburst came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the partial mobilization, causing many to flee Russia. Before opening fire, Zinin reportedly said “Nobody is going to go anywhere”, adding, “We’re all going home now”. 

Who is Ruslan Zinin? 

Zinin, who shot the Siberian enlistment officer, is a resident of the Irkutsk town of Ust-Ilim. He was dressed in fatigues when he opened fire, marking one of the most dramatic reactions to Putin’s directive. 

Marina Zinina, his mother, told independent website, Astra, that Zinin was “very upset” because his friend with no military experience had received draft papers. This contradicted the authorities’ pledge to only recruit experienced reservists. 

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She added, “Ruslan himself did not receive a summons, but his best friend did yesterday”. 

Officials said that Zinin initially hid from authorities but was detained and turned over to the police. His weapon was confiscated from him and authorities are looking into whether he is the legal owner. Zinin is suspected of committing crimes under Articles 317 and 222 of Russia’s Criminal Code. These include encroachment on the life of law enforcement officers, and the illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, transfer or carrying of weapons, main parts of firearms, or ammunition.

Anton Gerashchenko, the advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs, said “He decided jail is better than death in Ukraine.” Independent news website Mediazona and The Moscow Times’ Russian service reported that at least 20 recruitment offices have been torched since Putin’s directive. 

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Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev vowed to make the shooter pay and to increase security at recruitment centres, following the shooting. “I am ashamed that this is happening at a time when, on the contrary, we should be united. We must not fight with each but against real threats”, he added.

While Gerashchenko said that the recruiting officer had died, the governor of the region noted that he had been critically injured and is fighting for his life.