Russia's Latest Army Recruit to Fight Ukraine Is Leonardo DiCaprio's Doppelganger
Ukraine and Russia both have been sending civilians to battlefields. Roman Burtsev, 41, is of one the latest recruits to join Russian forces in Ukraine, in a bid to win the ongoing war, Daily Mail reported. Burtsev is known as popular actor Leonardo DiCaprio's doppelganger and has booked several modeling gigs since 2016, as the actor's lookalike.
Burtsev's modeling work took a hit during the pandemic, Daily Mail reported. The man had put on weight. which became a hindrance to his career. At the time of recruitment, Burtsev was living in a two-room council flat with his parents and cat. He had no wife or children with him. In the past, the man had worked as an IT specialist.
Burtsev went into modeling in hopes of getting fame, fortune, and a family, Daily Mail reported. Burtsev in 2021 vowed to shed a few pounds and promised to get back in shape by 2022. Burtsev blamed the lockdown for his dwindling opportunities.
"The problems began with the introduction of restrictions in April 2020 and now people have forgotten about me," Burtsev said, Daily Mail reported "I tried many methods for weight loss before finding my own and am now in the process of losing weight."
Burtsev was doing odd jobs at a marketplace and hardware store when he like many Russian unemployed men was called to serve, Daily Mail reported. Russia has gained a notorious reputation for sending men to war zones as 'cannon fodder.' The government because of its immediate needs provides multiple financial benefits to people going into the war for them.
After a recruit signs a contract and goes through potential training, he qualifies for a £16,000 payment, Daily Mail reported. Thereafter, the soldier collects £1,625 for every month they spend in service. If Burtsev gets killed in action, then his family can qualify for up to £99,000 from the Russian government.