Vorkuta mayor says he will join Russian military in Ukraine

Yaroslav Shaposhnikov, the mayor of Vorkuta, a city in North Russia, says he is planning on signing a contract with the Defence Ministry and joining the Russian troops in Ukraine, RIA Novosti reports, citing the local city hall.

“It is time for me to directly support our lads and take part in the special military operation as a serviceman. Five of my co-workers from Vorkuta will join me,” Shaposhnikov stated.

He also added that Vladimir Uyba, the local governor, has supported his decision.

Shaposhnikov said last October that Russian men volunteer to go to war due to “being nagged by their wives”. “About 10% of the volunteers that go to the front lines, do so because their wives, to put it mildly, are used to their good living <…> They keep nagging their husbands. Dear women, please be gentle with your men,” the mayor said.