The heavy cost of a long war for Russia’s ‘best of the best’ – BBC Newsnight

The 331st Guards Parachute Regiment, regarded as "the best of the best" in Russia’s armed forces, has been at the forefront of the main battles in the Kremlin’s campaign against Ukraine.

Often called the Kostroma Airborne Regiment, it has been the subject of investigations by Newsnight since shortly after last February’s invasion. These have revealed the price paid by the regiment and its home community.

The programme had confirmed 39 fatalities by April last year, 62 by late July, and now the toll has reached 94.

So with a rising death toll, how is this so-called "elite" regiment of paratroopers – and their family and friends back home – coping with Vladimir Putin’s long war?

Please subscribe HERE bit.ly/1rbfUog

—

Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsnight

#Newsnight #BBCNews