Report: Russian Military Executing Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Ukraine

New reports suggest a disturbing trend within the Russian military: the execution of soldiers by their own commanders for refusing to fight or attempting to desert in Ukraine. This practice, termed “zeroing” by some, raises concerns about a potential moral breakdown within the Russian armed forces.

Firsthand Accounts of Brutality

A new BBC documentary, “The Zero Line: Inside Russia’s War,” features former Russian soldiers detailing alleged executions carried out by their superiors. This marks the first time Russian soldiers have publicly come forward with such claims.

One former soldier, identified as Dima, described the executions as simply “murder,” stating, “It’s just murder, click, clack, bang. It’s not drama, it’s not a movie, it’s reality.”

Another former soldier, Ilya, recounted witnessing four comrades shot by a commander after they attempted to desert. “If you run away, give up or lose your weapon, you will be shot. Your fate depends on the commander. He decides who will die,” Ilya stated.

Tactics of Attrition and “Meat Storms”

The documentary also reveals the employ of brutal tactics, described as “meat storms,” where Russian forces send waves of soldiers towards Ukrainian defensive lines in an attempt to overwhelm them. One soldier explained the strategy: “First you send three men. Then you send three more. If that doesn’t work, send ten. If ten is not enough, send fifty. Eventually you break through. That is the logic of our military.”

Concerns Over Morale and Potential Collapse

Rasmus Tantholdt, TV 2’s correspondent in Ukraine, suggests this information highlights the dire state of the Russian army. He noted that soldiers are willing to risk their lives by refusing orders and attempting to desert, indicating an awareness of the high casualty rate among their comrades.

“If these stories about ‘zero position’ spread enough, it could lead to a moral collapse in the Russian army,” Tantholdt warned.

Significant Russian Losses in Ukraine

Analyses by the BBC and the independent Russian media outlet Mediazona estimate that over 200,000 Russian soldiers have been confirmed killed since the invasion of Ukraine began. These figures are based on reviews of obituaries, grave sites and memorials, and military analysts believe the actual number of casualties is likely much higher.