Young Astrkhan sniper dies in Ukraine conflict

22-year-old Yevgeny Polikarpov killed in battle

A young sniper from the southern Russian city of Astrakhan has died fighting in Ukraine, the latest victim of President Vladimir Putin's war.

Yevgeny Polikarpov, 22, was reportedly killed on May 25 while fighting in the Donbas region.

He is the latest in a string of Russian soldiers killed in the conflict, which began with Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February.

Fighting in Donbas

The Donbas is a region of eastern Ukraine that has been the scene of heavy fighting between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Russian troops have been fighting alongside the separatists since the invasion began, and the fighting has intensified in recent weeks.

The death of Polikarpov is a reminder of the human cost of the war in Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of thousands of people.

Sniper training

Polikarpov was a sniper, a highly specialized role within the military that requires extensive training.

According to his social media profile, he was trained at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, one of Russia's most prestigious military academies.

He also served with the Russian Airborne Forces, an elite unit that is often used in combat operations.

Tributes from friends and family

Friends and family paid tribute to Polikarpov on social media, describing him as a courageous and patriotic soldier.

"He was a hero who died for his country," one friend wrote.

"He will be remembered as a true warrior," another friend said.

Growing death toll

Polikarpov's death brings the number of Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine to at least 3,500, according to independent estimates.

The true death toll is likely to be much higher, as Russia has not released its own official figures.

The war in Ukraine has also killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians, and the United Nations estimates that more than 10 million people have been displaced.