Thousands protest and flee Russia as Putin amended the country’s criminal code

In Russia, there is a rare defiance to President Putin and his call to bring 300,000 more troops into his army for the war in Ukraine. Thousands of Russians are forced to choose between going to prison and going to war after Putin amended the country’s criminal code declaring desertion or failure to appear for military service will be punishable by up to 10 years in prison. According to an independent monitor, more than 700 people were arrested across 32 cities. This comes on the second day of what the west has called a sham referendum in the occupied areas of Ukraine, with armed soldiers monitoring ballot boxes.Sept. 24, 2022