"They have a very poor record for saving lives on the frontline. They throw in wave after wave... The elite youth have either fled or their hoping that military recruitment won't pick them up because that would cause upset in influential places."

Michael Binyon analyses Putin's conscription dilemma: as he continues to lose soldiers on the frontline but struggles to recruit younger troops without causing upset with Russian elites.

📻 Listen to Times Radio - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio

📍 Subscribe to our channel -    / @listentotimesradio  

🗞 Subscribe to The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe/...

📲 Get the free Times Radio app https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/how-...