Russian authorities admit that conscripts have been sent to Ukraine – after President Vladimir Putin previously denied this.

The military prosecutor’s office in Russia’s western district reports that about 600 conscripts have been involved in the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s state news agency reports. between fax.

Twelve officers will now be convicted of allowing conscripts to be sent to Ukraine – against Russian policy, according to military lawyer Artur Yegiyev. According to the news agency, the conscripts have all been returned to Russia.

A representative from the prosecution authority said that disciplinary action had been applied for all the offenses that had been uncovered.

Refusing to use military service

In the early phase of the war, Putin claimed in speech that he would only use professional military, and not send conscripts.

March 9 acknowledge, however, a spokesperson that Russia has sent conscripts to Ukraine to fight. Videos of young, inexperienced soldiers being captured by Ukraine also circulated on social media.

It has been reported on several occasions that Russia has struggled to recruit enough troops. According to British intelligence, they are trying to bring in veterans who left the military before 2012.

Signing the new law

In May, Putin signed a law that removed the upper age limit for Russians and foreigners accepted into Russian military service, according to Russian state-owned media Tass.

Previously, it was only accepted with “citizens aged 18 to 40 and foreigners aged 18 to 30”, the media wrote.

The changes apply to people who enlist voluntarily, not conscripts, according to NTB.

– Official confirmation

Uncertain Russian losses

At the end of April, British intelligence estimated Russian losses to be around 15,000 troops. That equates to their defeat in more than nine years of war in Afghanistan since late 1979.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj claims that more than 31,000 Russian soldiers have paid with their lives since the country invaded Ukraine.

– Since February 24, Russia has paid for its completely meaningless war against Ukraine with more than 300 of the country’s soldiers every day. The day will come when the number of dead exceeds the livable limit, also for Russia, Zelenskyj said according to NTB.

The war has lasted 104 days, and with 300 Zelenskyj soldiers saying Russia is losing per day, there will be 31,200. The claim has not been confirmed or refuted by independent sources, and Russia puts the number much lower.