Pro-Russian Latvian Emigrant Forced into Military Service After Fraud Charges
A vocal supporter of Russia's invasion was conscripted while awaiting trial for fraud.
1Latvian Activist Conscripted
Sergei Mulivanov, a 59-year-old Latvian national who emigrated to Russia two years ago, has been forcibly sent to the front lines. A vocal supporter of the invasion of Ukraine, Mulivanov was arrested in April on fraud charges. He was subsequently conscripted into the military while held in pre-trial detention.
2Political Background and Migration
Mulivanov was a prominent figure in the Latvian Russian Union who frequently criticized Latvian policies regarding Russian language education and support for Kyiv. After moving to the Moscow region, he obtained Russian citizenship. He initially worked as a courier before becoming entangled in a criminal case involving stolen currency.
3Fraud Charges and Detention
Authorities charged Mulivanov with fraud, an accusation he consistently denied. His family and legal counsel argue that he was unwittingly used as a money mule by scammers. While in detention, his health reportedly deteriorated; he suffers from type 2 diabetes and polyneuropathy, conditions that complicate his physical fitness for service.
4Contract Dispute and Coercion
Friends and lawyers claim Mulivanov was tricked into signing a military contract while in custody. Despite submitting a formal written statement to withdraw from the agreement, he was transferred to Rostov-on-Don against his will. His defense team notes he never received a mandatory military medical evaluation before being deployed.
5Systemic Recruitment Practices
The Russian legal system frequently offers criminal suspects the option to join the military in lieu of facing trial. This practice has become a standard mechanism for filling combat ranks. Mulivanov’s case highlights how even ideological supporters of the state can be swept into this process during legal proceedings.
6Communication Blackout
Since his deployment in late October, Mulivanov has been unreachable for six days, according to his family and associates. The lack of contact has heightened concerns regarding his safety and current status. His legal team’s previous requests for independent medical examinations submitted during the summer months remain entirely unanswered by authorities.
7Broader Combat Context
The deployment occurs as Russia faces record-high combat losses. Recent data from Ukraine’s General Staff indicates that October 2026 saw approximately 54,400 casualties, the highest monthly figure since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. These mounting losses continue to drive the state's aggressive recruitment efforts among the incarcerated population.
8Irony of Deployment
Mulivanov’s situation underscores the unpredictable nature of state mobilization. Despite his public advocacy for the war and his criticism of Latvia’s pro-Western stance, he ultimately became a subject of the very military apparatus he championed. His fate remains uncertain as he is integrated into the active combat zone.