Sitting in a basement studio hidden in the centre of Yerevan, Artyom reflected on his decision to desert the Russian army after a year spent fighting in Ukraine.
Just two weeks earlier, the former platoon commander was living in a trench. He has since abandoned his post and fled to the Armenian capital.
“I wanted no part in the imperialistic habits of our ruler,” he said. “But I do feel guilt in front of Ukraine … I could have said no, I just didn’t know what the consequences would be.”
