A military unit called "Bars Kaskad" is recruiting Russia's elite, the UK Ministry of Defence said. It likely allows recruits to "sidestep" usual service requirements "with guaranteed safety," said the MoD. AdvertisementA special Russian military unit is recruiting Russian elites, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The unit is primarily involved in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations far from the front lines in Ukraine, likely allowing Russian VIPs to "sidestep usual military service requirements with guaranteed safety," the MoD said. AdvertisementAlexei Blinovsky was pictured serving with Bars Kaskad on April 16, per the MoD.

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Persons: —, SERGEI SUPINSKY, Ruslan Leviev, Russian, Yelena Blinovskaya, Alexei Blinovsky, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: UK Ministry of Defence, MoD, Service, Russian, Russian State Duma, Putin United Russia Party, Getty Images, Conflict Intelligence Team, Guardian Locations: Ukraine, Russian, AFP, Kaskad