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Novaya Gazeta Europe’s investigation into the life and fate of Russian draftees

Russian authorities have refuted rumours about the second wave of mobilisation taking place in the country in January many times. Nevertheless, Putin never did sign a presidential decree that would mean the end of the mobilisation proceedings.

At least 300 Russian mobilised servicemen were killed starting from 21 September. Some of them — without ever making it to the front line. Novaya Gazeta Europe has looked into public data to find out who the killed draftees were as people, how and why they ended up at war, what their motivations and understanding of reality were. The video is available with English subtitles.