How to escape Russia’s army: Soldiers serving in Ukraine seek a way out

Warning: This story contains references to suicide and self harm, which some may find distressing.

Oleg, a 24-year-old who grew up in the western Russian city of Ufa, thought he was signing up to work as a security guard at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the occupied part of southeastern Ukraine.

To secure the job, with a salary of 200,000 rubles ($2,660)...