In the midst of the ongoing conflict in the Kursk region, Russian parents facing the absence of an official mechanism for locating their conscripted children have turned to non-governmental humanitarian and human rights organizations for help. With reports emerging on social media of Russian soldiers being killed, wounded, or captured, the desperate relatives are seeking news of their loved ones or assistance in preventing further conscripts from being sent to the combat zone.

According to a spokesperson from an unnamed non-governmental human rights organization (NGHRO), the organization has been inundated with appeals for help from relatives trying to track down missing conscripts or prevent their deployment to the frontline. This has led the NGHRO to identify three main categories of requests for assistance.

The first group is comprised of parents who have lost contact with their sons after they were previously sent to serve in the Kursk region, particularly in areas with reported fighting such as Sudzha. Despite their efforts to obtain information through official military channels or contacting their children's comrades, these parents have been met with a wall of silence. There is no hotline or reliable source of information available, leaving the parents in a constant state of uncertainty.

The second category involves conscripts who have been evacuated from the border area prior to the Ukrainian offensive or after withdrawing from active combat. Shockingly, reports confirm that these conscripts are being forced to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, indicating a readiness to return to the front lines. President Vladimir Putin's claims that conscripts wouldn't be sent into battle are contradicted by the provisions of conscription legislation, which allows for their deployment if a state of war, martial law, or a counter-terrorist operation is declared. The involvement of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) further obscures the fate of these conscripts, as their identities are confiscated and they face pressure to sign contracts under the threat of being labeled deserters.

The third category consists of parents whose sons have been given notice of their impending deployment to the Kursk region, despite not having completed the minimum required training period. These parents are urged to unite their efforts and raise general appeals to draw attention to the issue and potentially influence the decision to send their sons into the conflict zone. In some cases, the possibility of seeking a military medical commission to remove the conscripts from imminent danger is also discussed.

Although the NGHRO spokesperson acknowledges that they receive requests from both adult contracted soldiers and conscripts, the majority of appeals currently come from the parents of conscripts. This is an ongoing issue that has persisted for over two years, as Russia's laws regarding military service and conscription have been either adjusted or ignored in the name of the "special military operation." Recent reports suggest that even individuals who were previously exempted on conscientious, psychological, or medical grounds are now being swept up and deployed to support Russia's military crisis in the Kursk region.

As the families hold out hope for answers and assistance, they continue to face a disheartening lack of official support and information. With uncertainties surrounding the fate of their loved ones, they are left to rely on non-governmental organizations and the strength of their collective voice to seek resolution and ensure the safety of their conscripted children.