Russian reservists called up for the war against Ukraine may not return alive. Before they leave, they take care of their family and their future offspring all the more.
The government is now funding a special measure for this: soldiers can have their sperm frozen for free, the head of the Russian lawyers’ association Igor Trunov explained in an interview with the state news agency Tass. He himself represents the men who want to do that.
In detail, the Russian Ministry of Health “enables the free preservation and storage of germ cells from civilians who were mobilized to participate in the military special operation through funding from budgetary resources,” says Trunov. According to Russian media reports, demand for sperm banks among Russians has surged during mobilization in recent weeks.
More than 100,000 dead and injured
In any case, the fear of the death of the Russian soldiers seems justified. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, 100,000 Russians would have been wounded or killed after ten months of war. US estimates also put 100,000 dead and wounded on both sides.
The Kremlin vehemently denies the Ukrainian figures. According to official figures, 6,000 Russian soldiers were killed in September. As Watson writes, the Russian branch of the BBC talks about about 9,300 Russian soldiers killed. However, information about Russia’s losses cannot be independently verified. (chs)