Shocking story. You hear so many stories about kids being taken away for service and being "sold" into slavery - I keep forgetting we're talking about Russia here - sounds ore third world to me. What happened to Mr. Putin's admirable idea of a professional army where people are paid a proper salary to work for the armed forces - because they WANT to? I cannot understand the point of military service in this technological age other than the fact that these young people are there to be used as cannon fodder. General's are you proud of all these stories? Does this make you feel proud of yourselves? Proud of Russia? Proud of your profession? Get it sorted!

such an inhuman way to treat a poor orphan soldier. as long as these instances keeps on happening in the russian army, russia will remain miles behind the EU and the US in military strength. i feel sad to what happened to that poor fellow and sadder for the grandmother for going to her grave earlier than anticipated. the attitude of the authorities just shows how wrong things are happening in that institution. there have been talks of reform but things are moving very slowly while young boys are dying sadly not in combat but on sheer monstrosity of some of the officer. could the president or somebody with enough power please look into this particular matter and see to it that the boy be restored to his grandmother. RT, please follow-up on this issue as much as you can. it's horrible. i am hoping for a strong russia, brimming with confidence but it would not happen as long as very basic issues such as this one is treated like any other day in the office.