22.03.2026 14:50
Images published in the British press reveal that soldiers in the Russian army under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin are subjected to torture and mistreatment, that even the wounded are sent to the front lines, and that they are forced into high-casualty "suicide missions." Military experts have stated that violence and abuse are deeply rooted issues within the structure of the Russian army.
Images and claims reported by the British press revealed that soldiers serving in the Russian army are subjected to severe torture and inhumane treatment at the front line. The images compiled by the Daily Mail suggested that Russian commanders are inflicting violence on their own soldiers, sending injured soldiers back to the front, and forcing them into operations described as "suicide missions."
COMMANDERS ARE INFLECTING VIOLENCE ON THEIR OWN SOLDIERS
The emerging images showed Russian soldiers being beaten by their commanders, electrocuted, starved, and forced into harsh conditions. Some videos claimed that soldiers were made to crawl in the mud, tied naked to trees, and left in sub-zero temperatures.
In another image, two soldiers were seen lying in a pit while a commander fired at the ground, saying, "You will stay here until you learn the orders." Some images also suggested that soldiers were forced to fight to the death.
INJURED SOLDIERS ARE SENT BACK TO THE FRONT
One of the most striking claims was that severely injured soldiers are being sent back to the front. The images showed soldiers walking with crutches being armed and sent back to conflict zones. It was noted that some soldiers were sent to attack missions immediately after being discharged from the hospital, being forced to fight despite serious injuries. One soldier's words, "I have two severe injuries and brain damage, but I was sent back to the front," drew attention.
SUICIDE MISSION CLAIM
Claims also included that soldiers were forced into operations referred to as "meat storm." These operations were described as attacks where soldiers were sent to Ukrainian positions until their ammunition ran out, with high casualties being accepted. It was alleged that soldiers who did not comply with orders or attempted to escape were severely punished, and in some cases executed.
THEY ARE EATING POTATOES LEFT FROM UKRAINIAN POSITIONS
While the conditions at the front were reported to be quite severe, images were shared showing some soldiers trying to survive by eating potatoes left from Ukrainian positions due to a lack of food. One soldier's words, "We are drinking water from puddles, there is no food," drew attention. Additionally, it was claimed that soldiers were sent to the front without sufficient weapons and equipment, and sometimes had to prepare explosives on their own.
SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN LABELED AS "RUNAWAY DOGS"
The images also showed soldiers being chained and locked in boxes, starved, and humiliated. In one video, a commander was seen throwing food in the face of a soldier while asking, "Are you hungry?" and insulting him. Other images suggested that soldiers were tied to trees and labeled as "runaway dogs," being humiliated. It was also claimed that some soldiers had writings on their bodies and were forced to dance.
VIOLENCE AND ABUSE ARE ROOTED ISSUES
Experts stated that these images indicate systematic problems that have long existed in the Russian army. Military expert Keir Giles expressed that violence and abuse are rooted issues within the army's structure. Giles noted that soldiers in the Russian army are seen as "expendable," which is why heavy losses are overlooked.
HEAVY LOSSES AND FORCED RECRUITMENT
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russia experienced one of its heaviest losses of the year, with claims that 1,700 soldiers were killed or injured within just 24 hours. Furthermore, it was alleged that Russia is forcibly recruiting soldiers from poor regions, minorities, and even prisoners to meet its military needs. Some individuals were reportedly brought to the country with promises of jobs and sent to the front.
Among the claims, it was noted that commanders forcibly took soldiers' bank cards, provided exemptions from duties in exchange for bribes, and embezzled their money. Some soldiers were said to have had to pay to avoid being sent to the front, yet were still sent on death missions.