The Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed allegations of indiscipline among Russian troops, insisting that such problems are, in fact, common in the Ukrainian army. However, the report published by Verstka appears to be the most comprehensive to date, detailing a whole catalog of methods used to enforce obedience and terror within the Russian army, writes The Guardian.
The publication cites testimonies of soldiers who claim that some commanders would have designated “execution platoon” soldiers, responsible for opening fire on those who refused orders, only to then throw their bodies into rivers or shallow pits, recording their deaths as “fallen in battle”.
Other reports describe situations where commanders would have used drones and explosives to “terminate” wounded soldiers or those trying to retreat. In several cases, officers would have ordered drone operators to drop grenades on their own men, later presenting the killings as enemy hits.
Verstka, an award-winning independent Russian publication, founded by some of the country’s most respected investigative journalists and now operating in exile, has also documented cases of torture to death.
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