Venäjän puolustusministeriö myöntää

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Russia's defence ministry has acknowledged that some conscripts - soldiers who were compulsorily drafted into the army - are taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In Russia, all men aged 18-27 must do a year's military service, although there are some exceptions.

It comes just a few days after Vladimir Putin denied conscripts were involved in Ukraine, saying only professional soldiers were being sent.

The defence ministry said some conscripts had been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces.

"Unfortunately, we have discovered several facts of the presence of conscripts in units taking part in the special military operation in Ukraine," the Russian defence ministry said.

"Practically all such soldiers have been pulled out," it added, promising to prevent a repeat of the situation.