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'Not ready to kill': Rapper enlisted in Putin's army took his own life as he did not want 'sin of murder'

'I am not ready to kill for any ideals. I am not ready to take up arms and kill my own kind,' said 27-year-old Ivan Vitalievich Petunin

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

KRASNODAR, RUSSIA: A drafted Russian rapper reportedly chose to end his life rather than killing Ukrainians. In his final message, he said, “I'm not ready to kill.” It has been said that Ivan Vitalievich Petunin, popularly known by his stage name Walkie, ended his life by suicide after he was ordered to take part in Vladimir Putin’s inavsion of Ukraine.

According to reports, the Russian leader is trying to get 300,000 more men in his war against Ukraine despite their reluctance. Many of those men have apparently taken severe steps to not get involved in the fight, such as breaking their own arms or legs. The Sun reported that shocking videos showed a man setting himself on fire at a railway station in Ryazan, 110 miles southeast of Moscow, to avoid being sent to the frontline.

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The 27-year-old artist was among those men who had been enlisted. His body was found on Friday, September 30, in Krasnodar, Russia. Before taking his own life, Petunin in a video message shared on his Telegram channel, said, “If you are watching this video, then I am no longer alive.”

He explained, “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. 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,” before adding that the extreme step was “a way to express his final protest”.

Following the singer’s death, his girlfriend reportedly said, “Everything happened unexpectedly. He will always be a bright and kind person who loves to joke.” A fan of Petunin apparently said, “I hope you found peace.” Another heartbroken fan said, “Life is so unpredictable, who would have thought. He was such a bright guy.”

A Twitter user shared, “Rap star Ivan Vitalievich Petunin, known as Walkie in #Russia, committed suicide in protest against Russian President #Putin's mobilization decision.” The second one added, “RIP Ivan Vitalievich Petunin.”

This unfortunate bit of news comes after NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg slammed Putin, saying, “Putin has mobilised hundreds of thousands of more troops, engaged in irresponsible nuclear sabre rattling and now illegally annexed more Ukrainian territory. Together, this represents the most serious escalation since the start of the war."

“NATO reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We remain resolute in providing support to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia's aggression, for as long as it takes,” Stoltenberg added.

US President Joe Biden also continued to condemn Russia. He said, “We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russia’s brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbour. We will rally the international community to both denounce these moves and to hold Russia accountable.”

In reaction to Putin's invasion, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine said, “By attempting to annex Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, Putin tries to grab territories he doesn't even physically control on the ground. Nothing changes for Ukraine: we continue liberating our land and our people, restoring our territorial integrity.”