Hello, I'm James Reynolds on the BBC World Service, and this is BBC Earth's Conversations

on Russians Going to War.

This past week has seen Russia increase its bombardment of Ukraine, whilst also sending

more men to the front lines.

We've been bringing together Russians to hear how the conflict is dividing families.

The two Russian men who are now exiles tell us of friends who are trying to escape from

being called up to fight.

President Putin's so-called special military operation was supposed to last just a few days,

but here we are almost what eight months on, and the conflict of anything has become

even more intense.

I think it's fair to say it has not gone to plan so far for Russia's leader.

The country has admitted to significant troop losses.

It's also lost territory in Ukraine that it had previously occupied.

President Putin's response last month, I don't know if you remember this, was to boost

troop numbers through what he described as a partial mobilization, in practical terms

that means the call-up of 300,000 army reservists.

Since Russia's invasion began in late February, we've tried to bring you voices from both

Russia and Ukraine, but I have to say it's not always easy for us to get voices from

Russia, and that's what we've been concentrating on recently.

Let me start them with two Russians.

We're calling them Alex and Valya.

Those are not their real names.

...