Russian investigative portal Verstka identified data on more than 100 Russian commanders allegedly responsible for torturing and executing soldiers, according to its report.
Verstka describes executions as widespread, saying troops are shot without trial by their own officers or comrades.
The practice is referred to as “obnuleniye” (“zeroing”), the outlet reported, citing Russian servicemen and the military prosecutor’s office.
The outlet says reports of torture and executions have circulated since the start of the full-scale war with Ukraine, initially tied to drunkenness or refusing orders. It adds such incidents became more frequent in 2025.
Verstka reports the main trigger now is conscripts’ refusal to pay bribes to commanders. Soldiers who won’t pay are sent on so-called “meat assaults” against Ukrainian positions without proper arms or gear, it says. Refusing those assaults can lead to on-the-spot execution.
Beatings, torture and other abuse by commanders at multiple levels—including brigade and division—are also frequent, the outlet says.
One source told Verstka that 20 soldiers in a single battalion died this way in 2023 and 40 in 2024.
Since 2022, more than 12,000 complaints about abuse of soldiers have been filed with Russia’s military prosecutor’s office, according to Verstka.
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Source: RMF24