Maxim’s life before the war
I was born in Russia’s Far East. I went to a vocational school to become a computer programmer but never finished it. I tried to avoid it but still ended up in the army for regular conscription service.
I served in the Khabarovsk region, in an artillery brigade. We had combat training there, but I only fired a machine gun three times during my service. We never fired artillery guns. We mowed lawns, collected rubbish, painted pavements, pipes, and barracks. There was bullying as well. They took away personal things sent from home, some even took away money.
I first thought about doing contract service when the Crimea thing began. But I discarded this idea because I first wanted to see what the army is, get some training, and not rush into fighting. The army is simple: you don’t need to be a very smart person to serve. Just follow orders and get paid.
I was never into politics. I never voted either. I was first neutral towards the authorities, then I got slightly opposed to them. But later I completely forgot about them altogether and started thinking about myself and the wellbeing of my family. And then my dream came true, I managed to get a job in a theatre, where I worked for the past few years.