Russia: Second-class soldiers are being used as human shields
Vladimir Putin terrifies the world with his war of aggression. But even his own soldiers are probably taught to fear their leader...
The war in Ukraine continues, with heavy losses on both sides. Putin's army also seems to have 'punishment units' whose soldiers have to fight on the front lines - as punishment for disobeying the rules.
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The conditions in Putin's army
The Russian president is holding on to power, despite all opposition. Thus, he seems to be planning not only to increase the size of his army, but above all to keep his soldiers strictly under control.
More under this adMore under this adAnyone who fails to parry or is caught with alcohol breath, for example, must expect severe punishment. In the worst case, they will be put into a 'Sturm Z' brigade, i.e. a unit of around 150 soldiers fighting on the front line within a larger unit - with corresponding risk!
Read more:Desperate Russian soldiers forced to fight with shovels as supply of weapons dwindles
'Second-class soldiers' must serve as human shields
Survivors of these units have now revealed this to the Reuters news agency in anonymous interviews. One of them described how only 15 of the 120 men in his brigade had survived.
More under this adMore under this adAnother points out that they were thrown into battle like cannon fodder as 'second-class fighters' - often along with convicts who volunteered to fight from within the prisons. He also describes defying an order himself - by providing medical care to some of these men rather than leaving them to die.
Read more:Russia launches 'breeding scheme' as Putin's army suffers 'high turnover'
Military court decides on posting to punitive units
Various media reports have noted similarities in these methods to Stalin's - he too placed 'cowards' and caught deserters on the front line. Nevertheless, different terminology is used today.
More under this adMore under this adThe military tribunal decides whether to send them to a punitive unit. In fact, some of the survivors describe having participated in a tribunal regarding their offenses. However, compared to the misconduct alleged, such a sentence appears to be a draconian punishment.
Read more:Russian soldiers 'always drunk', according to Forbes contributor
This article has been translated from Gentside DE.
Source used:
Reuters: 'They're just meat': Russia deploys punishment battalions in echo of Stalin