A report released Tuesday containing material compiled by slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov said at least 220 Russian soldiers died in two battles in eastern Ukraine within the past year.
The Russian Defense Ministry has denied that any of its soldiers have fought in Ukraine, saying that the Russians who have joined the armed separatists were volunteers.
The report claimed the soldiers were released from their duties in the army and listed as volunteers. The Defense Ministry promised to pay compensation if the soldiers were killed or wounded, but failed to live up to its commitments, the report said.
Source: Voice of America
