Russian President Vladimir Putin's promise to keep conscripts out of combat during the war on Ukraine has been called into question as families of young soldiers deployed in the region express concerns.
Reports from Russian Telegram channels and social media reveal that poorly trained conscripts were left to defend the border with Ukraine, leading to unpreparedness when facing Ukrainian advances.
Mothers and wives of soldiers, traditionally influential voices in Russia, are expressing anger over the deployment of conscripts despite Putin's assurances.
An independent news outlet shared an interview with the grandmother of a missing Russian conscript stationed near the border without weapons, highlighting the lack of preparedness.
A petition urging Putin to remove conscripts from the area has gained traction online, with numerous messages from families of missing conscripts surfacing on social media.
The reliance on conscripts to defend the border likely facilitated Ukrainian troops' advance into Russian territory with relative ease.
Conscripts in Russia are subject to mandatory military service, with limited training provided before deployment. Draft avoidance is punishable by law, and conscripts are not intended for combat roles.
The recent deployment of conscripts to the border has drawn criticism from Russian opposition leaders and exiled groups, questioning Putin's handling of the situation.
In response to Ukraine's incursion, Russia has redirected troops from occupied Ukrainian territory to the Kursk region, aiming to counter Ukrainian advances.
Some conscripts have been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces, with reports of Russian soldiers surrendering and being captured in the Kursk region.
This incident is not the first time Russian conscripts have been found fighting in Ukraine, raising concerns about the handling of military personnel in Putin's war on Ukraine.
