Mobilized, Casualties and Moscow

Russian soldier, via telegram

Telegram is a window into Russia. If you will, it’s more like a crack. However, it is more than we had in the Cold War. A few things are happening now that are significant. There are multiple reasons for this.

The first is news of the first dead from cities like Moscow. Until now, the city has mostly avoided this. Why? It’s the center of the empire. So most of the burden is on ethnic minorities and poor regions of Russia.

This is via Bulbe (who was mobilized but somehow remains chatty as ever. Yes, I got theories. They involve bribes.) this is significant for a few reasons. This war casualty worked in the city administration, ergo, middle class. He also had no military training:

Photo of Lyosha via telegram

Lyosha Martynov. 28 years. Head of department in the Moscow government. Friend and colleague of my close friends.

Mobilized 23 September. In his youth, he served in the Semyonovsky regiment (this is where you need to march). Zero combat experience. Was sent to the front almost a few days later.

He died heroically on October 10. Military leaders, now is not the time to lie. You can’t lie at all, and now it’s a crime. I ask for prayers for the repose of the warrior Alexei.

It matters that he had no training. Because Russia promised ten ways to Sunday, those who were mobilized were part of the reserve. They had at least some training.

Then there is this, which speaks to a shoddy system of assigning people to units. It matters little if they are trained or not. Of course, if you have no idea where they are, it’s easier to refuse death benefits:

Before publishing this post, I checked everything. The person is real. Please spread as much as possible! From subscriber: Hello URGENT!!!!! MUST BE PUBLICIZED!!!!!!

My boyfriend is currently in the military. Since October 6, I have not been in touch, today I contacted my mother by calling from the phone of a local resident. He asks to ring all the bells, says that 20 out of 100 of them survived, their passports and soldiers were taken away, he said they do not refuse to fight, but under…