A Russian rapper known as Walkie is thought to have taken his own life in order to avoid fighting in his country's war against Ukraine.
The 27-year-old performer - whose real name was Ivan Vitalievich Petunin - was found dead on September 30 near a tall building on Congressnaya Street in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, the Daily Mail reports.
His death comes after he recorded a video message, which was posted on his Telegram channel, in which he said in Russian that he was "not ready to kill for any ideals."
In the Telegram clip, which has since been shared on Twitter, Petunin - who was naturally anxious about Vladimir Putin's recent partial mobilization announcement - said per NME: “If you are watching this video, then I am no longer alive. I can’t take the sin of murder on my soul and I don’t want to. I am not ready to kill for any ideals.”
He continued: “I choose to remain in history forever. As a man who did not support what was happening. I am not ready to take up arms and kill my own kind.”
According to NME, Petunin had made 10 albums since his 2015 debut. His most recent one, Walk Out Boy 3, was released earlier this year. His most well-known track has been streamed more than a million times on Spotify, and he had over 239,000 monthly listeners on the platform.
Per BBC News, Putin announced a partial mobilization in Russia last month. In a televised address, the Russian president said the country's first mobilization since World War II was in response to the so-called dangers posed by the western world, which “wants to destroy our country”.
He went on to say that the west had attempted to “turn Ukraine’s people into cannon fodder”.
“Military service will apply only to citizens who are currently in the reserve, especially those who have served in the armed forces, have certain military professions and relevant experience,” he said.
In Russia, most men under 65 are registered as reservists. Russia's Defense Ministry had previously said it would only draft those who have combat or service experience, but it has since been reported that men who do not fit this description are being rounded up as well.
According to another BBC report, Putin has since admitted that mistakes were made in the mobilization.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
