Russians express outrage online over Putin’s war and loss of young soldiers sent to die

It is the first time Russians have openly expressed their outrage over Vladimir Putin's war with people asking: “How many more will die before this war is over?"

Russians are expressing their open outrage over Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine as many speak out over the deaths of "cannon fodder" young soldiers.

Many are speaking out online despite the threats of severe punishment for doing so.

One case that hit home with Russians was the death of tank driver Alexei Veselkov, one of the thousands sent to die in Ukraine by Putin.

Aged 24, he married in June 2021, and his daughter was born last month - shortly before he was killed. He never saw the child.

“God, it's unbearable to see and read this,” noted Natasha Ilina. "So young and they haven't even seen their children. Eternal memory.”

Another comment Elena said: “He looks 17. It’s so sad. So many of our men have died.”

One more comment asked: “Why are such young guys sent there?" Another Russian asked: "He’s such a child - when will this end?”

Natalia Krainova said: “How do his family survive this grief? Who needs this [war]?

Olga Habibullovna implicitly criticised Putin, posting: “Why are we sending such young Russian men there? Who will bring these guys back to life?

“Condolences to his family and loved ones. Eternal memory.”

Another simply said: “When will all this nightmare end?”

When she read about the death of Roman Sadykov, 25, Elena Tushich posted: “This is the third obituary in an hour in [my] feed…"

Tamara Darmaeva added her voice: “Condolences to the family. It’s so sad for our young boys. How much longer will they die?”

Vera Kazachenko asked plaintively: “How many more will die before this war is over?”

Marina Dengina vented her fury, saying: “When will it finally end? It's so painful to read about these newly perished men. New faces every day. We are losing handsome, strong and manly guys with kind eyes. Eternal memory to you, hero! Sincere condolences.”

The death of Dmitry Kozubenko, 21, led to a comment from Larisa Sundupova-Namsaraeva saying: “When will this end, so sorry for such young men? They had all lives ahead, my heart is aching for them?”

Elena Alexandrova wrote: “Lord, it's so sad when the young die.”

Tatyana Geninova added: “If it was a time of peace, they would have lived until they had grey hair, raised their children and saw their grandchildren.”

Valentina Kiryaeva said: “He’s still a boy. Why are such young sent to war? He never saw life, and now he will not know it.”

Arsalan Togmitov, 24, a private, was buried this week after being slain in Ukraine.

Maxim Grudinin posted: “So many of our men are dying.”

And Aryuna Batueva said: “I’m endlessly sorry that our young are dying. Condolences to the family. May this end soon.”

The death of senior sergeant Namzhil Sangadiyev, 38, prompted Alexey Sayanov to comment: “Our land has lost so many sons, we're praying he's the last one in this list. Condolences to the family and loved ones…”

How many Russian troops have died?

Another fallen senior sergeant Zhargal Dashiyev, 38, prompted this from Svetlana Potemk to asked: “When will there be the end to this war?”

About Corporal Solbon Bolotov, 26, Natalya Seleznyova pleaded: “God, when will this end?”

A similar comment from Kseniia over the death of tank driver Bair Rinchinov, 32, asked: “How many sisters, wives and mothers cry every day...

“When will this end…?”

The death of Maxim Bolshakov, 22, from Ulan-Ude, the hardest-hit Russian region for casualties, prompted this from Tsyren-Dulma Ayusheeva: “I am only sorry for peaceful Ukrainian people and our military who are dying because of politicians making money in this so-called military operation.

“This is a war, not something else...When will this be over?”

Russia has remained tight-lipped so far about the number of casualties, with the most recent statement from the official defence ministry stating 1,351 soldiers have been killed since Putin's invasion on February 24.

However, a Nato official has been quoted in the US media as saying between 7,000 to 15,000 Russian troops may have died.