There has been a record number of cases this year of Russian soldiers deserting their units. Amaliya Zatari from BBC Russian has spoken to one young man who managed to get to France along with five others. Nina Nazarova, also from BBC Russian, offers a unique insight into the price many ordinary Russian families are paying when they try to hide or protect their relatives.
Produced by Hannah Dean and Alice Gioia.
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)