Russian soldiers’ deaths cast doubt on Kremlin’s claim of no involvement in Ukraine

The recent deaths of three Russian servicemen have raised serious questions about the Kremlin’s claim that its military is not operating in Ukraine.

Freshly dug graves of three young men, each bearing a wreath from Russia’s ministry of defence, were found in remote villages in central and southern Russia.

People on social media connected their deaths through tributes posted online.

One woman from the Tambov region – who does not want to be identified – knows the family of one of the men.

She said: “They were sent to Ukraine, (where) everything is done quietly. We don’t know where exactly, but some were there.”