Russian authorities admit that conscripts have been sent to Ukraine – after President Vladimir Putin previously denied this.
The military prosecutor’s office in the western district of Russia reports that around 600 conscripts have been involved in the invasion of Ukraine, reports the Russian state news agency Interfax.
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Twelve officers will now be punished for allowing conscripts to be sent to Ukraine – contrary to Russian policy, according to military lawyer Artur Yegiyev. According to the news agency, the conscripts have all been returned to Russia.
A representative of the prosecuting authority said that disciplinary measures have been implemented for all the offenses that have been uncovered.
– Thought we were the best in the world
Rejected the use of conscripts
In the initial phase of the war, Putin claimed in a speech that he would only use professional military, and not send conscripts.
9. mars admitted, however, a spokesman that the Russians had sent conscripts to Ukraine to fight. Videos of young, inexperienced soldiers who have been captured by the Ukrainians were also circulating on social media.
It has been reported on several occasions that Russia has struggled to recruit enough soldiers. According to British intelligence, they are trying to bring in veterans who left the military before 2012.
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Signed new law
In May, Putin signed a law that removes the upper age limit for Russians and foreigners who are accepted into Russian military service, according to the Russian state-owned media Tass.
Previously, it was only accepted with “citizens aged 18 to 40 years and foreigners aged 18 to 30 years”, the media writes.
The change applies to people who enlist voluntarily, not compulsory military service, according to NTB.
– Official confirmation
Uncertain Russian losses
At the end of April, British intelligence estimated the Russian losses to around 15,000 soldiers. That’s about as many as they lost in just over nine years of warfare in Afghanistan since the end of 1979.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj claims that more than 31,000 Russian soldiers have had to pay with their lives since the country invaded Ukraine.
