School-leavers losing their lives for Russia in Putin's war with Ukraine

The Shocking Truth About Russia's 18-Year-Old Soldiers: A Mother's Grief, a Nation's Secret **Did you know that thousands of barely legal teenagers are dying on the frontlines of the Ukraine war?** This isn't some distant conflict; these are boys barely out of school, lured by promises and propaganda, paying the ultimate price. This investigation reveals the heartbreaking reality behind Russia's hidden army of 18-year-olds.

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A Dream Deferred, a Life Lost: Alexander's Story Eighteen candles on a cake, a future brimming with possibilities. For Alexander Petlinsky, that future included a medical career. But the allure of the battlefield, fueled by relentless patriotic propaganda and tempting financial incentives, proved too strong. Two weeks after his 18th birthday, Alexander signed a contract with the Russian army. Twenty days later, he was dead in Ukraine. His mother, Elena, a picture of quiet devastation, simply says, "As a citizen, I'm proud. As a mother… I can't cope."

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His aunt, Ekaterina, remembers a boy who dreamed of healing, not killing. Yet, the relentless drumbeat of Russia’s “special military operation” changed his path, a grim testament to the war's insidious influence on Russia’s youth. *What will you learn? We’ll uncover the shocking truth behind how Russia is recruiting these young men and the devastating consequences.*

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The Lure of the Ruble and the Rifle: A Recruitment Strategy Unveiled Russia's army is facing severe losses. To maintain its brutal assault on Ukraine, Vladimir Putin's regime has cleverly sidestepped a national mobilization. The solution? Lavish cash bonuses, particularly appealing to young men in impoverished regions with limited opportunities.

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But there's a darker side. New rules quietly slipped into place in April 2023 allowed 18-year-olds to bypass traditional conscription and sign direct army contracts. No prior military service required. This, combined with intense patriotic indoctrination in schools – including mandatory classes on the "special military operation" and even Kalashnikov training – creates a pipeline of eager, yet tragically unprepared, young soldiers. Vitaly's Last Call: A Siberian Tragedy

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Vitaly Ivanov, a young man from a Siberian village, dreamt of a life building roads in Kazan with his friend Mikhail. Instead, he found himself entangled in a web of alleged police coercion and a contract with the Russian army. His final message home? "I'm off to the special military operation." A month later, his mother received the devastating news: he was dead. The Numbers Don't Lie: A Hidden Casualty Count

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Our investigation, meticulously compiling open-source data, has uncovered at least 245 confirmed deaths of 18-year-old contract soldiers in Ukraine between April 2023 and July 2025. But this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Our research suggests at least 2,812 Russian men aged 18-20 have perished. The true number, experts believe, could be far higher, reaching hundreds of thousands. This stark reality paints a picture of a war fueled by young lives, tragically sacrificed. **Are these the faces of Russia's future?** Dive deeper and uncover the shocking truth behind the war's human cost. Let’s understand what lies behind the casualties reported and understand the larger effects of these deaths on Russia. Read on to discover more shocking facts.