Russian Punishment Battalions "Storm-Z" Deployed To Ukraine's Frontlines
Disturbing reports have emerged from Ukraine, as Russian punishment battalions "Storm-Z" deployed to Ukraine's frontlines.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuOct 04, 202326.9K Shares728.6K Views
Disturbing reports have emerged from Ukraine, as Russian punishment battalions "Storm-Z" deployed to Ukraine's frontlines.
These squads are composed of military and civilian offenders, including drunk recruits, insubordinate soldiers, and even convicts, who are sent to the frontlines in Ukraine.
The revelation of their deployment has raised serious concerns about human rights abuses and the treatment of these individuals.
"Storm Fighters, They're Just Meat"
According to sources with direct knowledge of the matter, including five fighters within these units, hundreds of individuals have been conscripted into these penal squads in 2023 alone.
The fate of those sent to these units is grim, with few surviving to share their experiences.
One regular soldier, who requested anonymity out of fear of prosecution in Russia, described the situation within these units as dire.
Deployed near the contested city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, he recounted an incident where he provided medical treatment to wounded Storm-Z fighters against orders from an unknown commander.
He claimed that this incident exemplified how these squads are considered of lesser value than ordinary troops by officers.
The soldier's account illustrates the harsh conditions and challenges faced by those in these units.
He expressed sympathy for their plight, revealing that individuals with the scent of alcohol on their breath are immediately sent to the Storm squads by commandants.
Anonymity And Fear Of Reprisals
The individuals who provided information about the Storm-Z squads, including fighters, their relatives, and soldiers who interacted with these units, all chose to remain anonymous due to concerns of reprisals.
However, Reuters verified their identities through various means, such as criminal records and social media accounts.
These penal squads, each consisting of 100-150 individuals, are embedded within regular army units and often sent to the most exposed and dangerous areas of the frontlines.
They frequently sustain heavy casualties, with reports of several Storm-Z teams engaged in repelling Ukrainian counteroffensives in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Recruitment And Composition
Unlike other Russian paramilitary groups like the Wagner mercenaries, Storm-Z units come under the direct command of the Russian defense ministry.
The squads are a combination of convicts who volunteer to fight in exchange for a pardon and regular soldiers being punished for disciplinary breaches.
The Storm-Z squads serve the Russian defense ministry's interests as expendable infantry.
These fighters are often sent to the most perilous parts of the frontlines, both in defense and attack. The units are strategically used, taking the brunt of the danger.
While Russian state-controlled media has reported on the existence of Storm-Z squads, it has not disclosed how they are formed or the losses they endure.
Reuters is the first newsorganization to compile a comprehensive account of these units by speaking with multiple sources with direct knowledge of their operations.
Historical Parallels
The deployment of military offenders into combat units has historical precedents, such as Josef Stalin's orders during World War II to send panicked or indisciplined soldiers to "punishment battalions." However, the situation with the Storm-Z squads raises serious human rights and legal concerns.
The revelation of the Storm-Z squads has drawn international attention and concern. The fear for the safety and rights of those conscripted into these units highlights the gravity of the situation.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the treatment of individuals within these penal squads will remain a subject of global scrutiny and condemnation.
Final Words
The exposure of the Russian penal units, known as "Storm-Z" squads, sheds a disturbing light on the brutal realities faced by military and civilian offenders sent to the frontlines in Ukraine.
These units, composed of individuals ranging from drunk recruits to convicts, operate in perilous conditions, often sustaining heavy losses.
The anonymity of sources, coupled with verified accounts, emphasizes the fear and secrecy surrounding these units.
The Storm-Z revelation has raised significant international concerns, underscoring the need for scrutiny and condemnation of the treatment of these individuals in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Suleman Shah
Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences.
Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA).
Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju
Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality.
Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence.
Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
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