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A series of Molotov cocktail arson attacks and shootings took place in Russian military commissariat registration and enlistment offices following the start of the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Other governmental buildings were also attacked in multiple regions of Russia. Part of the Russian partisan and anti-war movements, the attacks were spurred by several factors, including the invasion of Ukraine, the deployment of Russian conscripts to the front line, the start of spring conscription, and rumors about possible mobilization in the country, which were later found to be true.

Quick Facts 2022-24 Russian military commissariats attacks, Date ...
2022-24 Russian military commissariats attacks
Part of the anti-war protests in Russia, Terrorism in Russia and 2022 Russian partisan movement
Map of attacks on military commissariats in Russia since February 2022
Date28 February 2022 (2022-02-28) – present
Location
Russia
Caused by
Methods
StatusOngoing
Parties
Casualties
Death(s)13 (including 2 perpetrators)
Injuries>20
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Commissariat offices recruit servicemen to the Russian Army and choose who is eligible and ineligible for service. The attacks were not a single coordinated campaign; and were led by a variety of people, from left-wing anarchists and scammers[9] to far-right groups and assorted lone wolf actors.[10][11][12][13][14]

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Chronology

More information Date, Place ...
Attacks on military commissariats and other government buildings in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine
Date Place Target Method Deaths Injuries Damage (per Russian authorities) Ref.
28 February 2022 Lukhovitsy, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Vandalism, Molotov attack, Graffiti 0 0 Shattered windows, "material damage" [15]
2 March 2022 Voronezh Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Entrance door of the commissariat [16]
10 March 2022 Beryozovsky, Sverdlovsk Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Entrance doors of the commissariat [17]
18 March 2022 Shuya, Ivanovo Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Window of the commissariat [18]
18 April 2022 Zubova Polyana, Mordovia Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 One office, several computers [19][20]
1 May 2022 Belgorod Ministry of Defence facility Arson (allegedly) 0 1 Unknown [21]
4 May 2022 Nizhnevartovsk Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Wood paneling [22][23][24]
8 May 2022 Cherepovets Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Two window frames, exterior decoration [25][26]
9 May 2022 Balashikha, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Window [27][28]
13 May 2022 Omsk Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Windows [29][30]
Gukovo, Rostov Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [31][32]
14 May 2022 Pronsk, Ryazan Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Entrance door and window [32][33]
15 May 2022 Volgograd Military commissariat Arson, Molotov attack 0 0 "Some used items" [32][34]
18 May 2022 Shchyolkovo, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Two offices, Military commissariat archive [35][36]
20 May 2022 Zheleznogorsk-Ilimsky, Irkutsk Oblast Military commissariat Air gun firing 0 0 Window [37]
Igra, Udmurtia Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Army reserve room [38][39]
28 May 2022 Simferopol Military commissariat Molotov attack (unsuccessful) 0 0 No damage [40]
31 May 2022 Yasnogorsk, Tula Oblast Military commissariat Axe attack, arson 0 0 Window [41]
8 June 2022 Vladivostok Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Building cladding [42]
24 June 2022 Belgorod Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Table in one of the offices, window [43][44]
Perm Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Two windows [44][45]
13 July 2022 Mozhaysk, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [46]
15 July 2022 Mineralnye Vody, Stavropol Krai Commissariat, City administration Planned Molotov attack 0 0 Detained before arson [47]
20 July 2022 Uglich, Yaroslavl Oblast Military commissariat Planned Molotov attack 0 0 Detained before arson [48]
18 August 2022 Konakovo, Tver Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Window frame [49]
3 September 2022 Izhevsk, Udmurtia Police station Molotov attack, stabbing 0 3 Two policemen received stab wounds, perpetrator received gunshot wounds [50]
22 September 2022 Tolyatti City administration Molotov attack 0 0 Entrance [51]
Nizhny Novgorod Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Dental office, window [51]
Lomonosov, Saint Petersburg Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Сhurch building window (by mistake) [52]
Gay, Orenburg Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 One wall [53]
Kyra, Zabaykalsky Krai Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Commissariat documentation [54][55]
23 September 2022 Svobodny, Amur Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 "Light damage" [54]
Khabarovsk Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Two offices [54]
Kamyshin, Volgograd Oblast City administration Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [56]
Tselinnoye, Altai Krai House of Culture, village administration Arson 0 0 Postal office [56]
Kostroma Military commissariat Graffiti 0 0 One wall [57][58]
24 September 2022 Kansk, Krasnoyarsk Krai Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Furniture in one of the rooms [59][60]
Salavat, Bashkortostan United Russia office Arson 0 0 Entrance door [61]
25 September 2022 Ruzayevka, Mordovia Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 One office [62]
Chernyakhovsk, Kaliningrad Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 One wall [63]
Kirovsk, Leningrad Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 One office [64]
Bereslavka, Volgograd Oblast Village administration Arson 0 0 All building, art school [65]
Syaskelevo [ru], Leningrad Oblast Village administration Molotov attack 0 0 Social protection office [66]
Ryazan Bus station Self-immolation 0 1 No damage [67]
26 September 2022 Ust-Ilimsk, Irkutsk Oblast Military commissariat Shooting 0 1 Military commissar received gunshot wounds [68]
Uryupinsk, Volgograd Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 "Significant damage" [69]
Tarusa, Kaluga Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Broken window [70][71]
Beloomut, Moscow Oblast Locality administration Molotov attack 0 0 Double glazing and window sill [72]
27 September 2022 Vladivostok Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Military pensioners accounting office [73][74]
28 September 2022 Vladivostok Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Broken window, burnt windowsill and frame [73][74]
29 September 2022 Novosibirsk Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Broken window [75]
Zimovniki, Rostov Oblast District administration Molotov attack 0 0 One office [76]
30 September 2022 Nizhny Novgorod Building of Federal Taxation Service Molotov attack 0 0 No data [77]
Krasnodar Military commissariat Arson 0 0 "The arsonist failed to start a big fire" [78]
1 October 2022 Kaa-Khem, Tuva Republic Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [79]
3 October 2022 Kazan Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Grass near the military commissariat [80][81]
Krasnoyarsk Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 "A small fire" [80][81]
5 October 2022 Zyuzino, Moscow Oblast Military unit Molotov attack 0 0 Burnt window cladding [82]
6 October 2022 Goryachy Klyuch, Krasnodar Krai Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [83][84]
9 October 2022 Arkhangelskoye, Bashkortostan Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [85]
11 October 2022 Bakal, Chelyabinsk Oblast Locality administration Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [86]
12 October 2022 Saint Petersburg Sberbank branch Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [87]
14 October 2022 Votkinsk, Udmurtia Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [88]
Cherkessk, Karachay-Cherkessia Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [89]
15 October 2022 Soloti, Belgorod Oblast Military training area Shooting 13 (including both perpetrators) 15 11 killed according to state-owned news agency RIA; both gunmen were killed [90]
16 October 2022 Shchyolkovo, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [91]
17 October 2022 Mukhorshibir, Buryatia Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Burnt facade [92]
26 October 2022 Kyzyl Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Burnt window [93]
28 October 2022 Kemerovo Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [94][95]
30 October 2022 Ust-Kan, Altai Republic Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [96]
Almetyevsk, Tatarstan Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Detained before arson [97]
7 November 2022 Angarsk, Irkutsk Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [98]
23 December 2022 Ivanteyevka, Saratov Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 One room burnt out [99][100]
26 December 2022 Perm Multi-story house housing a military commissariat Arson 0 0 Fire spread up to 5 floors high [101]
27 December 2022 Podolsk, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Burnt window [102]
29 December 2022 Yekaterinburg Electrical substation Arson 0 0 Detained before arson [103]
1 January 2023 Moscow Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [104]
9 January 2023 Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Damage on an area of a 50 square meters [105][106]
10 January 2023 Novokubansk, Krasnodar Krai Federal Penitentiary Service archive Arson 0 0 500-800 files of prisoners destroyed [107]
11 January 2023 Magdagachi, Amur Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Burnt window [108]
2 February 2023 Kovylkino, Mordovia Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [109]
21 February 2023 Bokhan, Irkutsk Oblast Administration building Arson 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a large fire [110]
23 February 2023 Murmansk Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Windowframe damaged [111]
26 February 2023 Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Ceiling burnt out in a Social Fund of Russia's office [112]
28 February 2023 Kirovsk, Leningrad Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a fire [113]
6 March 2023 Novosibirsk Aid collection point for draftees Arson 0 0 Floor and a desk burned [114]
1 April 2023 Pervouralsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a fire [115]
12 April 2023 Usinsk, Komi Republic Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [116]
25 April 2023 Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast District administration office and court Molotov attack 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a fire [117]
7 May 2023 Yekaterinburg Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Detained before arson [118]
8 May 2023 Likhoslavl, Tver Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Building's facade and a windowframe damaged [119]
11 May 2023 Usinsk, Komi Republic Federal Security Service office Molotov attack 0 0 Fire on an area of 1.5 sq m, burnt windowframe [120]
14 May 2023 Murmansk Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Burnt furniture and electronics in a social security office [121]
15 May 2023 Ulyanovsk Police station Arson 0 0 Burnt windowframe [122]
22 May 2023 Moscow Military commissariat Unexplained fire 0 0 "The scale of the damage is unclear" [123]
1 June 2023 Inza, Ulyanovsk Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Fire was quickly extinguished [124]
3 June 2023 Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast Military commissariat Firework attack 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a fire [125]
4 June 2023 Asha, Chelyabinsk Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [126]
7 June 2023 Vladimir Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Fire was quickly extinguished [127]
8 June 2023 Tynda, Amur Oblast Police station Airsoft grenade attack 0 0 No data [128][129]
29 June 2023 St. Petersburg Sberbank branch Arson 0 0 Fire was quickly extinguished [130]
5 July 2023 Yoshkar-Ola Sberbank branch Molotov attack 0 0 Door burnt, glass shattered [131]
20 July 2023 Berdsk, Novosibirsk Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Door burnt [132]
29 July 2023 Feodosia, Crimea Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Asphalt near the building burnt [133]
Kazan Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Wall burnt [134][135]
Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Ground was set on fire [136]
30 July 2023 Sevastopol Commandant's Service office Molotov attack / self-immolation 0 1 Window damaged by shards [137]
31 July 2023 St. Petersburg Military commissariat Arson, car ramming 0 0 Burnt door, broken gates [138][139]
Kazan Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a fire [140]
Omsk Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [141]
Kaluga Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [141]
Mozhaysk, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Windowframe burnt [142]
Aginskoye, Zabaykalsky Krai Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [143]
Rossosh, Voronezh Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [144][145]
Podolsk, Moscow Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [146]
Kopeysk, Chelyabinsk Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [144]
Volsk, Saratov Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [141]
Maykop Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Detained before arson [147]
1 August 2023 Ulan-Ude Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Fire on an area of 1 sq m [148]
Verkhneuralsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [149]
Moscow Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Fire was extinguished [150]
Stavropol Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Detained before arson [151]
Ishimbay, Bashkortostan Military commissariat Arson 0 0 No data [147]
Sestroretsk, St. Petersburg Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Detained before arson [147]
Nakhodka, Primorsky Krai Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No data [147]
14 August 2023 Polevskoy, Sverdlovsk Oblast Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Door burnt [152]
15 August 2023 Chernyshevsk, Zabaykalsky Krai Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a fire [153]
17 August 2023 Kirov Mobilization tent Arson 0 0 No data [154]
22 August 2023 Yekaterinburg Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Little damage [155]
29 August 2023 Ufa Military commissariat Arson 0 0 Detained before arson [156]
Moscow Judicial sector Arson 0 0 Fire on the surface of 6 sq m [157]
5 September 2023 St. Petersburg Military commissariat Bombing 0 0 No data [158]
18 September 2023 Blagoveshchensk Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Grass near the building burnt [159]
21 September 2023 Magadan Printing warehouse (mistaken for a military commissariat) Molotov attack 0 0 Window broken [160]
27 September 2023 St. Petersburg Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 No damage [161]
Kotelnich, Kirov Oblast Contract service reception point Arson 0 0 Little damage [162]
Kornevo, Kaliningrad Oblast Cadet classroom in a local school Molotov attack 0 0 Arsonist failed to start a fire [163]
28 September 2023 Artyom, Primorsky Krai Military commissariat Molotov attack 0 0 Fire quickly went out [164]
15 March 2024 Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 Ballots damaged [165]
Moscow Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 Ballots damaged
Voting booth Arson 0 0 No data [166]
Kogalym, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug Ballot box Arson 0 0 Floor was set on fire; no damage to the ballots [167]
St. Petersburg Polling station Molotov attack 0 0 No data [168]
Simferopol Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 Ballots damaged [169]
Rostov-on-Don Ballot box Inking 0 0 Ballots damaged [165]
Mytishchi, Moscow Oblast Voting booth Arson 0 0 Voting booth damaged [170]
Asbest, Sverdlovsk Oblast Polling station Molotov attack 0 0 No data [171]
Volzhsky, Volgograd Oblast Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 Ballots damaged [172][173]
Lytkarino, Moscow Oblast Ballot box Paint attack 0 0 One ballot damaged [174]
Sochi, Krasnodar Krai Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 Ballots damaged [175]
Cheboksary Ballot box Arson 0 0 No data [176]
Chelyabinsk Polling station Firecracker attack 0 0 No data [177]
Ivanovo Polling station Arson 0 0 No data
Novosibirsk Ballot box Zelyonka/ink attack 0 0 No data
Izhevsk Ballot box Zelyonka/ink attack 0 0 No damage [177][178]
Kurgan Ballot box Zelyonka/ink attack 0 0 No data [177]
Veliky Novgorod Ballot box Paint attack 0 0 No damage [179]
Yekaterinburg Ballot box Paint attack 0 0 Detained before ballot tampering [180]
16 March 2024 Kuragino, Krasnoyarsk Krai Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 One ballot damaged
Tobolsk, Tyumen Oblast Polling station Firecracker attack 0 1 Perpetrator injured [181]
Mayma, Altai Republic Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 Detained before ballot tampering [182]
Zelenogradsk, Kaliningrad Oblast Ballot box Zelyonka attack 0 0 Ballots damaged [183]
17 March 2024 Krasnodar Polling station Arson 0 0 "Insignificant damage" [184]
Perm Polling station Firecracker attack 0 1 Perpetrator injured [185]
13 April 2024 Vladimir Regional government office Molotov attack 0 0 Car destroyed [186]
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Versions

In the Telegram channel "Oderint, Dum Metuant", the authors of which opposed the invasion of Ukraine and position themselves as a cell of the revived National Socialism / White Power, there were videos of some actions - on some unknown people set fire to cars with the letter Z, on others fires are visible in some buildings — the channel claims that supporters of the movement set fire to the warehouse of the "military facility", the police department and the military commissariats. The channel administrators even arranged a "quest", promising 15,000 rubles to anyone who sets fire to a car with the Z symbol, or 30,000 for setting fire to a police car. They planned to pay money in cryptocurrency. According to the security officials, the movement's associates could be involved in several arsons in central Russia.[187]

In anonymous Telegram channels and on pro-Kremlin websites, allegations began to appear that the Security Service of Ukraine pays 30,000 rubles for setting fire to military commissariats, and this "must be filmed on camera".[188][189][190][191]

According to another version, draft offices are set on fire by conscripts and those subject to possible mobilization.[190][192][193]

Phone scams

Some reports[9][194][195][196] indicate that some of the attacks are being committed by elderly people who have been tricked via phone to first hand over large amounts of money, and then in order to regain that money, perform an attack on a conscription center.[9][194]

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After beginning of mobilization, Vladimir Tsimlyansky, Representative of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta stated "arson of military commissariat will be qualified as terrorist attack or calls for terrorist attack". According to Criminal Code of Russia, a person can get up to 15 years in prison for those charges.[197]

Two men — from Saint Petersburg and from Chernyakhovsk — were charged with "Intentional damage or destruction of someone else's property" under Article 167.[198][199] The man from Volgograd was arrested for Molotov attack and is now detained on charges of Article 167 as well as Article 213 "Hooliganism".[200]

Another case has been opened under Article 205 "Terrorist act" for Molotov attacker from Krasnodar.[201]

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See also

References

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