Explore how travel agents deceive men into signing up for security helper jobs in Russia only to force them into military training and frontline combat without their consent. Follow the harrowing journey of a man tricked into signing a contract to fight on the Ukraine border and his daring escape from the dangerous situation.
Desperately low on troops for its protracted war with Ukraine, the Russian military is relying on men from countries like India to fill its ranks. Journalist Shalu Yadav tells the story of a man who was tricked into joining the army and managed to escape.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and guest-hosted by Haleema Shah.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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