The claim
The photo is said to show recruits from the Russian mobilization. Can this really be real?
Our conclusion
Yes, the photo was taken on September 29, 2022 on the grounds of the Mikhailovskaya Artillery Academy in St. Petersburg and shows recruits of the current wave of mobilization.
The internet is amused by a photo that is supposed to show recruits mobilizing in Russia.
An image that could have come from a 1980s military comedy: four soldiers/actors/civilians in a colorful mix of uniform and civilian clothing. This can't be real? Yes, that's it. We at Mimikama contacted the photographer Mikhail Ognev via Instagram and received the following information:
Hello Tom, this photo was taken on September 29, 2022 in one of the military units in the Leningrad Region where Russian citizens called up as part of partial mobilization are trained […] So it is not a fake
Photographer Mikhail Ognev via Instagram

On the far left is the arrogant subordinate who always tries to make others look bad in front of the boss. Second from the left is the friendly, fearless leader of the group who everyone likes and respects. The sturdy boy is the lovable goofball of the group who doesn't take anything too seriously but is loyal and reliable when it counts. The guy on the right is the hothead who doesn't want to be there and initially hates everyone, but after befriending the boss and the heavyset boy, he becomes the best soldier in the group.
Speculation about the picture on reddit
Images of a mobilization
The funny snapshot was taken during a photo report on September 29, 2022 on the grounds of the Mikhailovskaya Artillery Academy in St. Petersburg. On the fourth day of training for the current mobilization wave, not all recruits had yet received their full equipment, hence the strange mix of civilian clothing and brand new uniform items. Other images by Mikhail Ognev show a recruit with a helmet that is far too large, soldiers in combat exercises and a military choir in parade uniforms.
The reporter Yulia Nikitina conducted interviews with recruits, officers and instructors, and she heard stories that sounded no less bizarre: The commander of the howitzer artillery battalion that had just been formed, Major Shchigolev, had actually been retired for 20 years, but volunteered on the first day of mobilization reported.
His department was founded three days ago and training is still ongoing. Don't be discouraged - it's only the fourth day. Nobody has combat experience. Don't be discouraged - everyone served in the army, the people are adults, half of them even volunteered. The material and technical goods were not fully spent. Don't despair - everything will be spent, and if sponsors provide copters, it will be great.
Julia Nikitina 's report
Shooting exercises with Kalashnikovs and grenade launchers at training areas and shooting ranges. Tanks roll over soldiers in trenches, they throw practice grenades and fire blank cartridges.
As I turn around, I freeze at what I see. Two of you. One thick and one thin. The first is small and robust. He's constantly smiling and you can't help but smile back. He asks his friend to tighten his belt, which is really loose. He wears a ridiculously tight helmet and is a whopping 2.10 m tall. As he tightens his belt, he bends over like a child and at the same time straightens his crooked vest with almost motherly concern.
At some point, reporters Julia Nikitina and Mikhail Ognev have had enough. Enough of the sarcastic words, which are still hardly enough to put into words the real satire you just saw.
When we left, the singing and dancing ensemble “Katyusha” had already finished and started singing “Smuglyanka”. We returned home in silence, along the same Kiev highway we had arrived on.
Sources:
https://www.fontanka.ru/2022/09/30/71697356 (Report by Julia Nikitina, photos by Mikhail Ognev)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjHqroxomQF (The funny picture on Mikhail's Instagram channel Ognev)
https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/xs4mqn/what_the_russian_armys_soldiers_really_look_like
Even more bizarre facts from the Ukraine war: This is how Ukrainian hackers tricked Russian soldiers with photos of women
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

