There is currently a massive on-going re-enlistment and recruitment drive in Russia. Sources claim that “Russian military registration and enlistment offices, patriotic organizations and the mercenary group PMC Wagner have been actively campaigning to attract candidates to fight in Ukraine.”
According to a report in the International Business Times 25,000 Russian soldiers have died since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. The number of losses came from an intercepted phone call made by a Russian soldier.
Botashev was a native of Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia. He graduated from the Yeysk Higher Military Aviation Institute. And qualified as a fighter-bomber pilot. Before his career ended, he was promoted from lieutenant to general.
He later worked in Leningrad as deputy chairman for aviation of the Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Navy.
