>>508497745
5/5

The family of another 18-year-old victim, Daniil Chistyakov, who was killed after just a few days at the front, tried to fight back. "I wrote to many authorities, trying to get them to repeal the law," a relative said. "But no one was interested."
The pipeline continues to operate. While boys like Alexander and Vitaly are buried, recruiters still visit schools, promising a "decent future." For many, that future lasts only a few weeks. Mikhail, Vitaly's friend, is now working on a road construction crew in Kazan. Asked if he would ever consider signing a contract, he was unequivocal. "I don't even want to think about it."