Russia sees spike in men freezing sperm before Putin conscripts them into army

Russian conscripts are rushing to reproductive clinics before heading for the war zone in Ukraine in a bid to plan for having children after their death.

Vladimir Putin recently announced that 300,000 men would be called up to fight, with some suggesting the real figure could rise to one million.

There have been videos and pictures online showing the extent that some recruits are going to to avoid the conflict, with some men even walking over the borders to Georgia and Mongolia with their families.

READ MORE: Putin's mobilisation 'likely far larger' than 300,000 Russians, says Ukraine

And some other men, according to Professor Igor Vinogradov, chief physician of the Scientific and Practical Centre for Reproduction in Moscow, have requested to have their semen stored.

Dmitry Mazurov, head of reproductive at UMMC-Health medical centre in Yekaterinburg, said the same trend was true outside the capital.

There have been half a dozen clients a day compared with two or three a month before the war, he said.

“They call us and ask if it is possible to get emergency conservation in two hours, without preparation and examinations,” he said.

“We have already developed a system [for the mobilised men].

“A man comes to the clinic, takes tests, and we freeze the material.

“Then when the results come and it becomes clear whether we can use this material in the future."

A spokesman at St. Petersburg medical centre ICLINIC said they introduced a 10% discount for mobilised men.

"We have introduced a promotion in connection with recent events,” he said.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

According to Oleksiy Hromov, deputy chief of main operations for the Ukrainian Army's General Staff, Russia has already conscripted 100,000 people since the announcement on September 21.

Hromov said that the 300,000 figure is unlikely to be the actual amount Putin sends – with the real number being higher.

He said yesterday: “We understand that the announced figure of 300,000 is not final. The number of mobilised conscripts will most likely be far larger.”

Putin said that only Russian citizens in the reserves or with previous military experience would be included in the mobilisation.

However, a source told independent investigative media outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe that a secret seventh article in the partial mobilisation presidential decree will allow him to call up a total of one million.

READ NEXT:

• Ukrainian soldiers send Russian conscripts terrifying warning images of dead comrades

• Putin 'directly overseeing' blundering Ukraine invasion as he has 'lost confidence'

• Putin is 'weak and pathologically suspicious' Josef Stalin as 10th oligarch found dead

Source: Read Full Article