**Russia’s Secret War: The Forgotten Casualties of Ukraine**
In a shocking investigation, the BBC Russian service has uncovered a disturbing trend in Russia’s military mobilization efforts. Despite President Vladimir Putin’s promises to exempt 18-year-olds from fighting in Ukraine, at least 245 teenagers have been killed on the battlefield over the past two years.
The news comes as Russia continues its full-scale war against Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of at least 13,500 Ukrainian civilians since February 2022. The conflict has also seen thousands of Russian soldiers, including teenagers, sent to fight in a war that many believe is unwinnable.
**A New Generation of Soldiers**
In April 2023, Russia dropped its three-month conscript service rule for young men wanting to join the army as contract soldiers. This move has made it easier for 18-year-olds to enlist and sign up for combat duty. Many have been drawn in by cash bonuses and patriotic propaganda.
Alexander Petlinsky, a teenager from Chelyabinsk, enlisted two weeks after his 18th birthday and was killed just 20 days later. His aunt Ekaterina said he had dreamed of becoming a doctor but also wanted to fight in Ukraine.
**Teaching War in Schools**
In a throwback to the Soviet era, Russia’s education system has begun teaching senior students how to use Kalashnikov rifles and hand grenades as part of a course called “The Basics of Safety and Homeland Defence”. This move has raised concerns among human rights groups about the indoctrination of young minds.
**Young Lives Lost**
Vitaly Ivanov, a teenager from Siberia, dropped out of college and signed up for military service after being accused of robbing a small shop. He was killed in Ukraine just 20 days later.
The BBC Russian investigation has identified at least 245 names of 18-year-old contract soldiers killed in Ukraine between April 2023 and July 2025. The real number is likely much higher, with estimates suggesting that up to 267,500 Russian soldiers have died since the start of the full-scale invasion.
**The Human Cost**
As part of its ongoing project to count Russia’s war dead, the BBC has established the names of 120,343 Russian soldiers killed during the conflict. Military experts estimate that this figure makes up only 45-65% of the real death toll.
The families of these young soldiers are left to pick up the pieces and grapple with the reality of their loved ones’ deaths. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the devastating impact it has on families and communities.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
