In Russian media, putin cynically states that ‘there are no’ conscripts in the war in Ukraine. 

No conscripts, because all killed conscripts are ‘turned into’ contractors. And those who are still alive – are just ‘jammed so that they don’t call anyone, so that they don’t tell anything to anyone…’

Here is how a soldier of the 15th Motorized Rifle Regiment of Russian Taman Division explains it. The SSU publishes the intercepted conversation.

Near Sumy, the occupiers were surrounded, while in their homeland they had already been written off as disposable.

The commanders did not even indicate the division’s location on the maps. So, the unit was shelled by ‘friendly fire’.

Now, the conscripts are forced to sign a contract.

However, they did not say why they need contactors’ status.

The answer is obvious: simply because ‘they are not there’.