Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged Wednesday that some conscripts were taking part in the conflict in Ukraine, coming after President Vladimir Putin denied such reports and said only professional soldiers were sent to fight. The Defense Ministry added that some of the conscripts, while serving in supply units, had been taken prisoner by the Ukrainian army since the conflict began on Feb. 24. “Unfortunately, we have discovered several facts of the presence of conscripts in units taking part in the special military operation in Ukraine. Practically all such soldiers have been pulled out to Russia,” the Defense Ministry said. Russian officials said they are launching an investigation into the matter. Earlier, a group that claims to represent the mothers of Russian soldiers said that their sons were forced or pressured into joining the Russian military. “Mothers are telling us that their sons have been calling them and saying they’re being forced …