‘They’re treating us like we’re idiots’ Families are searching for Russian conscripts who disappeared during the Ukrainian incursion. The Defense Ministry insists they were never there. — Meduza
meduza.io
On August 9, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry declared a federal-level emergency in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had already been advancing for four days. Anywhere from several dozen to several hundred non-mobilized conscripts may have been in the region when Ukrainian troops crossed the border. Journalists from the independent outlet Verstka spoke with the families of seven conscripts serving near the city of Sudzha to learn the fates of these young men who, according to Russian law, should be stationed “outside of the conflict zone.” Meduza shares an English-language translation of their findings.

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On August 9, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry declared a federal-level emergency in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had already been advancing for four days. Anywhere from several dozen to several hundred non-mobilized conscripts may have been in the region when Ukrainian troops crossed the border. Journalists from the independent outlet Verstka spoke with the families of seven conscripts serving near the city of Sudzha to learn the fates of these young men who, according to Russian law, should be stationed “outside of the conflict zone.”

“When [the village of] Guevo was captured, the boys who were surrounded texted their mothers, begging for help. But we can’t get through to [the Defense Ministry hotline in] Moscow at all. The enlistment offices just tell us, ‘What nonsense are you talking about? They’re not there, their phones were just taken away.’ Basically, they’re treating us like we’re idiots."

  • racemaniac@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    4·
    3 months ago

    It’s probably just a strategy to get them to shut up. And to make clear noone at the Russian army cares about them or their relatives that were sent to war.