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Russia's Vladimir Putin announced the "partial mobilisation" of 300,000 reservists in September

By Paul Kirby

BBC News

Russian soldiers called up to fight in Ukraine will have the chance to store frozen sperm in a cryobank for free, according to a leading Russian lawyer.

Russian Union of Lawyers head Igor Trunov told state news agency Tass the health ministry had responded to his appeal for a free cryobank, and changes to compulsory medical insurance.

Russia mobilised 300,000 reservists after a string of setbacks in Ukraine.

Men then began approaching clinics to have their sperm frozen, reports said.

Mr Trunov announced on Twitter that his union was applying on behalf of several couples where the husband had been called up to take part in the special military operation (SVO) - the term used by Russia for its war in Ukraine.

The health ministry is yet to comment on Mr Trunov's remarks and the lawyer told the BBC his union would have to follow up with the department on what procedure there would be.

He told Tass the ministry had "determined the possibility of financial support from the federal budget for free conservation and storage of germ cells (spermatozoa) for citizens mobilised to take part in the SVO for 2022-2024".