Russian commanders execute, torture and send to death Russian soldiers who refuse to fight in Ukraineaccording to a shocking investigation into what is happening in Vladimir Putin’s army.
According to the investigation by the independent Russian media Verstka, Russian soldiers who disobey the orders of their superiors are executed, tortured or forced to participate in suicide missions.
The investigation brought to light reports of units being deployed to the Russian lines to prevent any retreat – soldiers being killed by a fraternal hand if they tried to escape.
Witnesses have reported that commanders have ordered “executioners” to open fire on those who refuse to fight, later dumping the bodies in shallow graves or rivers and registering them as battle dead.
In some cases, officers reportedly used drones and explosives to “finish off” wounded or retreating soldiers, even ordering drone operators to drop grenades on their comrades in order to disguise the killings as battlefield attacks.
Others who disobeyed orders were thrown into pits covered with metal mesh, doused with water and beaten for hours or days.
According to testimonies, some were forced to engage in duels to the death. These duels were sometimes videotaped and circulated as a warning.
One such case appeared in a video released in May 2025 by Ukrainian groups monitoring Russian forces.
The video shows two shirtless men in a pit, while an off-camera voice says: “Commander Kama basically said that anyone who beats the other to death will get out of the pit.”
The men begin to fight as the voice continues to urge them, “Finish him at last, what are you waiting for?”, until one collapses motionless to the ground.
Verstka notes that it has confirmed at least 150 deaths, although it estimates the real number to be much higher – more than 100 Russian servicemen are accused of killing, torturing or capital punishment against their colleagues.
In another point, the medium mentions that there are also commanders who blackmail soldiers with money in case they want to avoid suicide missions.
Those who couldn’t pay or refused were “zeroed out” – as the army slang for extermination – and then sent on suicide attacks.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied accusations of insubordination among Russian troops, insisting such issues are “widespread” in the Ukrainian military.
However, Verstka’s report appears to be the most comprehensive evidence yet of systematic violence within the Russian military, documenting executions, torture and deliberate killings of soldiers who refuse to obey orders.