Selfies From the Front: Inside the ‘V.I.P.’ Brigade for Ambitious Russian Officials

Young Russians are avoiding combat in Ukraine by enlisting in a non-combat drone unit called Kaskad, which offers political favors to officials but provides little actual military experience. Based in occupied Ukrainian territory, this "sinecure" unit allows recruits to sidestep dangerous front-line duties while still earning their stripes on the government's dime.