The Russian military is sending wounded troops on crutches back to the frontlines to fight, and redeploying soldiers with significant injuries to combat roles, as it struggles with growing manpower issues, according to videos and testimony obtained by CNN.

Archived version: https://archive.is/newest/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/22/europe/russia-wounded-troops-frontline-latam-intl/index.html


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  • TacoButtPlug
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    17 hours ago

    Any reason the population there doesn’t rise up against Putin? They’re allowed gun ownership there.

  • Boomer Humor Doomergod
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    22 hours ago

    Perun did a good analysis of the demographics of Russian soldiers and it’s really sad: A lot of them are in their 40s or 50s, already in bad health, and many have significant mental health issues.

    • zout
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      721 hours ago

      As a person in good health turning 50 this year, I’m sorry for my contemparies, and most of all fuck Putin.

      • Boomer Humor Doomergod
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        720 hours ago

        That’s something he mentioned in the video. Same with prisoners: If they become sunflower fertilizer they don’t have to pay to feed and house them.

  • magnetosphere
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    821 hours ago

    One drone video from January, posted by the Ukraine’s 59th brigade active around the embattled strategic city of Pokrovsk, shows a Russian soldier using a crutch under each arm to try and reach cover. He is moving slowly, despite likely being able to hear the Ukrainian drone above him and realising he is at risk.

    The drone then drops a mortar round on him.

    I can’t help but wonder if they used the Benny Hill music when they released the video. I’m an awful person.

    • @Cypher
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      517 hours ago

      I’ve seen a few drone videos to the Benny Hill tune… it’s rough.

      Why these Russians aren’t fragging officers non-stop is beyond me.