Tears and hugs for Russians called up to fight in Ukraine

Russia has rounded up army reservists as it prepares to launch a new wave of attacks

A massive pro-war mural showing three soldiers in camouflage with weapons, emblazoned with the words ‘For Russia’ with the letter Z, last Thursday in Moscow. President Vladimir Putin recently ordered the mobilisation of Russian army reservists after setbacks in Ukraine. Picture: Contributor/Getty Images

Russia has escalated its military and political campaign to capture Ukrainian territory, rounding up Russian army reservists to fight, preparing votes on annexing occupied areas, and launching deadly attacks.

A day after president Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation to bolster his troops in Ukraine, dramatic scenes of tearful families bidding farewell to men departing from military mobilisation centres in Russia appeared on social media.