Across Russia, marriages have shot up since President Vladimir Putin ordered a mobilization amid steep losses in the war on Ukraine. Many couples who were living together are making things legal after the man received his call-up notice in part to lock in spousal death and disability benefits.
Eduard Anisimov from St. Petersburg had served almost half of his term in prison when he was recruited to fight in Russia's war in Ukraine by representatives of the Vagner private military contractor. Relatives tell RFE/RL that he went to fight in hopes of gaining his freedom.
Russia was once the darling of foreign automakers as demand for cars surged in the 2000s and early 2010s. Now they are pulling out following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leaving factories idle and workers looking for other jobs.