Moscow paramedic forcibly sent to front line after reporting assault by supervisor

Military paramedic Roman Esenov, who reported being beaten by his supervisor, was forcibly taken from a military unit in the village of Mosrentgen in the Moscow region. Relatives of Esenov and a human rights activist believe that he was sent to the front line in order to complicate the investigation into his complaint, reported Novaya Gazeta Europe.

Human rights activist Elena Popova from the Movement of Conscientious Objectors, and one of Esenov’s relatives who wished to remain anonymous, told Novaya Gazeta Europe that the paramedic was hospitalized in September 2023 after he was “severely beaten” by the head of a medical company who had returned from the war in Ukraine.

Esenov filed a complaint following the incident. According to Popova, he appealed to the military investigation department of Russia’s Investigative Committee. His relative said he also appealed to the military prosecutor’s office.

In January, Esenov was verbally informed that his unit had received an order to send him to the combat zone. Esenov serves as a contract paramedic, but his military ID card indicates a “B” fitness category, which means he is only fit for non-combat service, explained Novaya Gazeta Europe’s sources.

Esenov requested a written order so that he could appeal it in a garrison court. However, on January 12, the paramedic was taken to an unknown location. According to Esenov’s father, before he was sent away, his son told him that they were taking away his phone and forcibly taking him to the front.

Novaya Gazeta Europe says Esenov was given a travel card, which states that he was sent to a field company on January 12 to “carry out the tasks of the special military operation.”