A freshly dug grave, believed by some locals to hold the body of a Russian paratrooper killed fighting alongside rebels in Ukraine, is seen at the Vybuty public cemetery in the Pskov region of northwest Russia in this August 27, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Dmitry Markov/Files
Special Report: Moscow Stifles Dissent As Soldiers Return In Coffins -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Late last month Yelena Tumanova was handed the body of her son in a coffin at her home in Russia's Western Volga region. Anton Tumanov was 20 and a soldier serving in the Russian army in the North Caucasus region of Chechnya.
The documents Yelena Tumanova was given with the body raised more questions than they answered - questions about how her son died and about the Russian government’s denials that its troops are in Ukraine. The records do not show Anton Tumanov’s place of death, said human rights activists who spoke to his mother after she got in touch with them.
"Medical documents said there were shrapnel wounds, that is he died from a loss of blood, but how it happened and where were not indicated,” said Sergei Krivenko, who heads a commission on military affairs on Russia’s presidential human rights council.
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My Comment: This is a big story in Russia .... and as much as Moscow tries to dismiss reports of dead Russian soldiers .... social media is abuzz with talk on who has been killed, wounded, or missing. One source that I trust has told me that since July approximately 125 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine, and many more wounded .... but even he is not sure on the exact number .... these are numbers that are only coming out now .... and official denials of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine is still policy. What's my take .... this is a huge political problem for Putin. There is almost zero public support within Russia for any Russian military intervention in Ukraine .... so by not only going against the will of the people .... but by trying to hide it .... I know that in the months to come Putin will be held accountable .... and it is not going to be pretty.