#Iran

When Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was captured, Russia’s support for him proved insufficient. However, this is not the first time Russia has failed to assist one of its allies.

Arash Darbandi, a 34-year-old photographer from Ahvaz in southern Iran, came to Russia in search of work and never imagined he would become part of a war. In an interview with UNITED24 Media, he describes how an ordinary attempt to earn a living spiraled into coercion, detention, and ultimately forced conscription into the Russian army.