"He turns toward me, and three bullets fly at him": How hundreds of conscripts ended up at war in the Kursk region
The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region came as a complete surprise to hundreds of conscripts who had been assured of the safety of their service on the border. At least 77 conscripts were killed in the fighting, and many who returned are unable to secure their benefits or veteran status.
The reality of border service and casualties among conscripts
The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region in August 2024 came as a complete surprise to hundreds of young men. They had been repeatedly assured that service on the border was a "relaxed rear," where the most they could do was wear everyday uniforms. However, the reality turned out to be different: underground bunkers under constant tank fire, swamps for food, and poorly prepared defenses.
Specifically, journalists from "Important Stories" and "Verstka" discovered that at least 77 conscripts were killed in actual combat. Additionally, approximately 30 more are still officially listed as missing.
Despite the command's constant assurances of a "second line of defense," conscripts constituted up to 85% of the personnel at many strongholds right on the border. Meanwhile, soldiers, on orders from officers, told their relatives that they were dozens of kilometers from the front lines. As a result, official appeals from families to the prosecutor's office requesting that their sons be recalled from the danger zone were simply ignored.
Isolation, survival in the forests and the dire consequences
When the offensive began, the conscripts immediately found themselves completely isolated. Orders to withdraw were issued with significant delays, and requests for evacuation were systematically rejected. Consequently, having lost contact with headquarters, the groups hid in the forests for weeks, surviving for up to 50 days on nettles, rowan berries, and water from boilers in abandoned houses.
Emotionally, all [feelings] have disappeared. Only aggression remains. Maybe sometimes joy. If I get touched for a split second, that's it, I explode. It's really hard to control all this.
In total, about 500 conscripts underwent exchanges. However, returning home didn't mean the final end of their service: those who weren't seriously wounded were, after screening, sent back to the front lines to serve out the remainder of their conscription on the border in the Bryansk region.
The fight for payments and veteran status
Today, many military personnel are trying to obtain combat veteran status and compensation for their injuries through the courts and prosecutors. However, government agencies often fail to see the necessary documents for months.
As a result, the boys and their mothers are forced to pay for high-quality treatment for severe concussions and psychological trauma out of their own pockets.
Read the investigation by Important Stories and Verstka in full – link.