A 19-yearold Russian conscript, Artyom Antonov, tragically lost his life after being shot in the head, reportedly for declining to sign a contract to join Vladimir Putin’s forces in combat.

Antonov’s grieving family members claim he was “tortured” for his refusal to participate in the war. The fatal shot was fired by his direct superior, a lieutenant from Russia’s 394th motorised rifle regiment, as per various accounts.

Although the officer’s identity has not been disclosed, following media attention, it was announced that he had been suspended and is now facing a criminal investigation.

During a weapons safety briefing, the lieutenant allegedly disengaged the safety on his AK-12 assault rifle and discharged a round at the soldiers under his command.

“The bullet hit Antonov in the head,” a female relative of the deceased soldier stated. “We are all sure that the shooting is connected with the refusal to sign a contract [to fight in the war]. He told his friends that they were being pressured.”

It’s widely acknowledged that conscripts, who are not supposed to be deployed to the war, face severe psychological and sometimes physical coercion to consent to serve in Ukraine.

According to Antonov’s family, he endured torture, including having shots fired over his head and being whipped with an iron whip on his neck and arms.

“They abused him, put him on duty for eight days in a row, did not provide medical care, beat him with an iron whip on his arms and neck,” the relatives reported to Important Stories media outlet. “He shared this with close friends in a closed [social media] group, which was deleted immediately after his death.”

The deceased had also expressed his refusal to be sent to war. Following his death, this group was erased “by unknown people” in what his family alleges is a cover-up.

When his body was returned to them, it bore a gunshot wound to the head and was “black with bruises”, according to a relative. “The family of the deceased knows the name of the officer who shot him, but they are afraid to disclose it due to personal fears,” the media report stated.

Following his death, official obituaries were published claiming Antonov “decided to give his life for his motherland”, a statement that has been denounced as “a complete lie”. In reality, he had consistently refused to sign a contract.

Antonov was conscripted into the army in July 2024 from the Tatarstan village of Verkhniy Uslon.

He was promptly dispatched to serve at the Ilyinsky training ground in the Russian Far East, near the border with China, from where soldiers are sent to serve in the Kursk region, partially occupied by Ukraine. The conscript was shot on October 21, but details have only been made public now.

The law enforcement investigation’s official documentation recognizes that the lieutenant committed “a violation of the rules for handling firearms – an AK-12 assault rifle”. The record describes that the officer aimed the assault rifle towards personnel being instructed and, by pressing the trigger, discharged a shot with one bullet striking Antonov.

A friend lamented: “Artem was a kind and bright guy…. He planned to come home from [conscription] and like everyone else -to enjoy life. He was definitely not going to fight [in the war]. Our last meeting took place, unfortunately, at his funeral.”

The bereaved comrade expressed little hope for justice.

“Now everyone is afraid for their lives,” he declared. “Few will tell the truth. At least while they serve there. No matter what any of the military says, it is obvious that this is murder – he did not die himself. And he was mocked for a long time before his death – you can’t call it anything else.”