We continue the “series” from the NON-WHITE COAT initiative about Russian resistance organizations. This time, we spoke with a representative of the partisan group “Skrepach“, which is part of the URF – the United Resistance Front.
The third part of the partisan special, compiled by the Non-White Coat organization
Being a Partisan—A Choice of the Heart
The motive that leads people to such activity can, of course, vary, but most people who come are unwilling to endure what is happening; they thirst for action. However, the motive can also be material, says our source. People driven to poverty, forced into debt slavery, are ready for the most desperate solutions—and it is they who mostly go to fight in Ukraine for money. When the Resistance manages to lure them away, it kills not two, but three birds with one stone: an action can be carried out that deals a blow to the regime; it helps a person earn money and pay off debts without selling themselves as cannon fodder; thus, it prevents a person from going to war, thereby weakening the regime at least a little.
What kind of people become partisans?
"Being a partisan is difficult, risky, like walking on the edge of a knife, on the edge of a cliff," says our source right at the beginning, whom we will henceforth call simply Skrepach, and warns against excessive romanticization of this dangerous profession. "That is why being a partisan is not a profession; it is a state of mind, a choice of your heart."
“After all, the fewer resources the regime has in the war, the sooner it will lose, and the closer a just future will be. Russia’s defeat may initially bring us a difficult period, but we must go through this transformation. We—society and the state—are ill; and the only cure is resistance.” But for many, money does not matter; as they say, they “work for the idea.” Others generally refuse compensation for expenses related to scouting a target and preparing an action.
Like, for example, a partisan from Kazan who, despite all of Skrepach’s attempts to reimburse his expenses, did not accept a single ruble. “After a successful and serious action, he only asked: ‘What are we planning next?'”
Among the partisans are also people who are disillusioned, who desperately expect justice. One woman joined the movement after her boyfriend was arrested at a protest in support of Alexei Navalny: “It was as if something changed in my head.”
But even those who were initially in favor of the war and “supporting Russia’s interests” can often completely change their minds. Sometimes those who return from the war and whose eyes have been opened to what is happening, who have seen the war and the Russian invasion army from the inside, join the partisans. Former soldiers change sides “when they saw what horror Putin’s army actually brings, that not everything is as it is in the news.”
And also those who faced the fact that their homeland can easily abandon them. For one soldier, the final straw was the fact that his family, who suffered from a flood, “received a pittance, they were not provided with normal housing, but the local ‘king’ lives in luxury and his children are abroad.”
“When he returned, he joined us,” says Skrepach.
Turnkey Partisan
"The state gives us no choice, so every action of ours is a form of protest, a chance for the future." Of course, there is always danger in such a matter. But with proper preparation, risks can be minimized.
“That is why we want partisans to contact us, write to us, and consult. We will always tell you how to do it better, what the principles of work are, and how to increase safety,” Skrepach assures. “After all, the main work happens before the actions. Preparation, careful scouting of the target, the right tools—that is the foundation. You could say we help you become a turnkey partisan.”
Being a partisan is a choice of your heart
“In general, it is an interesting creative process, but there is also a bit of romance in it,” Skrepach smiles. “One cannot fail to notice the element of luck in partisan activity.” As an example of the latter, our partner shares a story. For a long time, the group could not figure out where a “regime dog” parked his car:
“We felt like we wouldn’t find him anymore. He wasn’t parked anywhere near the address, we took a larger search radius—and still nothing. We were about to give up; it wasn’t meant to be!” But one day, when the partisan was returning from an unsuccessful scout at the address and no longer hoped for success, by complete chance he saw the car he was looking for entering a paid parking lot.
“And fortunately, they were just looking for an employee for that parking lot,” our partner concludes significantly.
Luck is by no means an insignificant factor in a partisan’s life. It happens that despite a large amount of data and information, you still cannot find what you need—and then it happens that “you go to Yandex Maps, turn on Street View—and your car is there.” Or, let’s say, a participant transporting a ‘dangerous product’ is stopped by the police, they conduct a thorough search and… let him go, without considering the lunch box lying in a conspicuous place as something worthy of attention. Subsequently, such stories are told with a smile, but at that moment, of course, it is no laughing matter.
“But generally, preparations for an action proceed without any extraordinary situations, routinely.”
It is normal to be afraid
The feelings and emotions of participants vary—depending on the type of action and the specific partisan's role in it—but anxiety and fear are normal and certainly not reprehensible.
“We, the partisans, are living people, and it would be strange not to be afraid. The question is how not to show it and not let emotions cloud decision-making.” But it is not always the case that participants fear discovery and capture.
During one of the actions on the railway, aimed at a military delivery, a partisan who had to wander through the forest for a long time at night later admitted that he was more afraid of encountering a wild animal than the security forces. Another participant, who often went for additional scouting of a target in the evening, admitted that he was more afraid of his wife, who began to suspect him of infidelity due to his frequent absences.
For some people, prayer before an action helps to calm their anxiety. There is also a former special forces soldier in the movement, about whom our partner says: “That one looks like nothing scares him; he is a rock.”
“The main thing is that everyone understands why we are doing it, what we are fighting for. That helps us overcome fear and take the step.”
One novice participant was unable to overcome a psychological barrier for a long time. He turned back halfway, or could not bring himself to “damage military logistics along the railway tracks with scorched earth.” However, he did not give up and constantly reminded himself that his cause was right, “this is an investment in our future and the future of the country.” Now this man is one of the most successful partisans in the movement, with whom senior members, including our partner, consult on many issues.
Partisan International
The unification of diverse underground organizations into the URF is of a purely practical nature. Further expansion of this network is only welcomed:
“We are open to cooperation both in Russia and abroad,” Skrepach concludes his story. “The same applies to Ukrainian partisans in the territories occupied by our country—by the way, they write to us a lot from there and often join us.”
“In our struggle, it is difficult to work without the help and support of other organizations. If we distance ourselves and ignore each other, the regime will defeat us. That is exactly what it wants. We must constantly look for ways to cooperate. Together we are stronger.”
And again—don’t touch that dial. To be continued with other partisan organizations…
SKREPACH
Original name: СКРЕПАЧЪ
Activity started: 2022 Country of origin: Russia Type of resistance: partisans
Skrepach (fiddler, violin player) is a youth movement whose goal is the overthrow of the system and the collapse of the Russian Federation. Its partisan activity involves railway sabotage and attacks on equipment. The initiative is part of the URF and the COALITION.
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