A certain amount of ill-feeling has arisen in Russia, due to large numbers of dead soldiers being brought back from Ukraine, where they have been "on holiday" with the insignia removed from their uniforms and vehicles.
"Russia 'lost 220 troops' in Ukraine - Nemtsov report"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32705610
"Russian state television channels have for the first time reported on the funerals of Russian troops who fought alongside pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The broadcasts repeated the official line that the troops are "volunteers" or travelled to Ukraine on leave rather than in any official capacity."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29078465
Some families have even complained about the deaths of their sons and husbands
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29249643
"Our cameraman was knocked to the ground and beaten.
The attackers grabbed the BBC camera, smashed it on the road and took it away in their getaway car. "
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30039004
However, Mr Putin has now put a stop to all that.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32913929
He has signed a decree to make losses of Russian troops in peacetime a secret.