The husband of prominent russian influencer Yelena Blinovskaya has joined the Armed Forces of russia military campaign in Ukraine in an effort to stop Yelena Blinovskaya going to prison on tax evasion charges. On April 16, 2024, Yelena Blinovskaya’s husband, Alexei Blinovsky, was pictured serving in a specially created military unit of the Armed Forces of russia, known as the Kaskad combat army system, near Ukraine, according to the UK Defense Intelligence.
This unit was reportedly set up by russian State Duma Defence deputy chairman, Dmitry Sablin. The unit is predominantly involved in unmanned aerial vehicle operations normally away from the frontline. It has been active since October 2022 and has had at least 10 United russia Party members, and sons of Kremlin VIPs enlist. Enlisted VIPs are reportedly given a protection detail.
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Enlistment with Kaskad combat army system likely allows russian elite figures to sidestep statutory russian military service requirements with guaranteed safety and potentially curry favour with the Kremlin. Alexei Blinovsky’s case is the first recorded time where an individual has joined the unit to help a family member to avoid prison.
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