Introducing “The Deserter,” a New Feature from The New York Times Magazine and Audio

He didn't want to fight in Putin's war - he just wanted to survive. But to make it back to his family and live in peace, he would have to run.

In "The Deserter," journalist Sarah A. Topol reports the story of a soldier who served as a captain in the Russian army, fought in Ukraine and then ultimately fled the war and his country. It is a love story, a thrilling tale of escape and a disturbing account of the war. It's also a revealing portrait of the Russian war operation, its corruption, its chaos and its brutality.

Narrated by actor Liev Schreiber, "The Deserter" is also available as a five-part audio feature.

"The war in Ukraine is one of the most consequential world events of the past several years, but most of what American readers know about it is based on one side of the experience," said Jake Silverstein, editor in chief of The New York Times Magazine. "Sarah's story gives us a rare glimpse into the Russian side, and her immersive, novelistic approach to telling this story makes that point of view unforgettable. I really think this story will deepen readers' understanding of this conflict."

The feature is an unusually long one, occupying the entire Sept. 22 issue of the Magazine in print. Online, the Times introduces a digital format with a tap-through experience on the phone that saves readers' spot in the story so they can jump back to where they left off.

"We're also increasingly excited about this new story form," said Silverstein. "It's as immersive as the story itself. Hopefully it will enable readers to sink into this narrative with the sort of mindset they'd bring to reading a short book."

Read and listen to the story now.

Sarah A. Topol is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine. She lived in Cairo and Istanbul for over a decade, reporting from the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, Asia and Africa. Her work for the magazine has won a National Magazine Award for feature writing as well as an Overseas Press Club Award, among others.