Putin Called Out Over ‘Deliberate Extermination’ of Russian Troops

More than 100 relatives of Russian troops have signed an appeal to President Vladimir Putin demanding he do something about the suspected “deliberate extermination” of draftees outside Donetsk.

The troops, from the Western Military District, have been living in the trenches near the decimated Ukrainian city of Avdiivka for 10 months under constant shelling, the families said, according to iStories, which obtained a copy of the appeal. And those who are injured have not been allowed to leave. Instead, the families said, an order came down for those with moderate injuries to join assault units, which is often a death sentence.

The families say they believe the men are knowingly being sent to their deaths so the Kremlin can report progress on the battlefield at Putin’s annual press conference on Dec. 14.

Read more at The Daily Beast.