RUSSIA: HOMELESS ORPHANS JOIN RUSSIAN ARMY

Russian/Nat A batch of homeless orphans has joined the Russian army - rather than lead a life of destitution on the streets. The special platoon of 11 to 14-year-olds is part of an anti-chemical warfare battalion based at an army barracks in the town of Kineshma. Their commander claims the streetkids were heavy smokers and vodka drinkers when they arrived at the base. Now they are uniformed, disciplined “boy soldiers“. Homeless children in Russia lead what can seem a brutal and shocking exis