Putin Propagandist Challenged Over Why Son Hasn't Been Drafted Into Army

A pro-Putin Russian TV presenter has been challenged over why her son isn't fighting in Ukraine.

Tina Kandelaki has been outspoken in her backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin ever since he sent troops across the border into Ukraine on February 24 as part of his 'special military operation'.

At an event to celebrate the eighth anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Crimea, Kandelaki even took to the stage in support, speaking of 'all the difficulties and hardships' the country faces because of the West.

However, the 46-year-old multi-millionaire was challenged by Veronika Belotserkovskaya, a Russian food writer and war critic, who questioned Kandelaki as to whether her son, Leontyi Kondrakhin, was fighting for the country or whether - like other sons of privileged members of society - he has evaded potential conscription.

Belotserkovskaya asked the presenter: "Tina, I hope your son, as the son of a patriot, is now inside a tank near Melitopol?"

However, pictures have seemingly revealed that Kandelaki's son is currently in Moscow, The Mirror reports.

He has even been spotted playing in a punk band in some videos.

Kandelaki ultimately refused to answer the question.

Kondrakhin could have evaded possible conscription with the help of his parents arranging medical exemption.

Or they may have used his education and studies as a reason for him deferring.

Other sons have been forced to go and fight in Ukraine, with those captured reported as sobbing over the loss of their friends, and accusing Putin of being a 'liar'.

Others have claimed that they'll be 'dead' if they are sent back home to Russia regarded as failures.

Another Russian mother, and head of independent television channel Rain TV, senior editor Natalya Sindeyeva, published an open letter to three prominent Russian women, including Kandelaki.

It reads: "You are beautiful, bright, strong women. You are famous, but also you are mothers.

“I am a mother too, and as a mother I can't stop crying…. I remember how we discussed [our children’s] schools with you, Tina. We watched our children grow, worried for them, and worked hard for their future. Just like thousands of Ukrainian mothers - whose hopes and plans have been destroyed. Children are dying in Ukraine.

“Very little children, one-year-olds, two-year-olds, schoolchildren and those who are kindergarten age. Girls and boys die under bombing, die in shelters, die on the way trying to escape and hide.

“Ukrainian mums bury their children in small coffins. And I think about it constantly, and I don't know how to live with it."

She concluded: "What do we, mums, tell their mums?

"Russia, please protect your children. Don't send boys into battle - leave my son to me, leave Tina's son to Tina, and Margo's son to Margo [Simonyan]."

While Russia has appeared reluctant to release the death toll of its soldiers, a Pro-Kremlin publisher briefly published the number of troops the country has lost on 21 March.

As per Komsomolskaya Pravda, according to Russian military of defence numbers, 9,861 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine and 16,153 have been injured.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information