STALIN TACTICS: The TRUTH behind Putin's execution squads killing HIS OWN men
Russia's invasion of Ukraine couldn't be going worse. Not only is the Russian army facing stiff resistance from the smaller, and less well-armed Ukrainian army, but it is also now facing massive desertions. Reports say hundreds of Russian soldiers have surrendered and deserted the army as low morale plagues Russia's plans. Amidst the news of that happening in ever-increasing numbers, there's a new claim that Putin has sent "execution squads" into Ukraine to kill those giving up.
The desperate Russian President is being left red-faced amidst massives losses on several fronts. Economically, Russia is being crushed by the massive sanctions imposed by the west, targeting not just the Russian economy but those closest to Putin. Militarily, the lack of progress has left Russian troops with just days more of supplies as chaotic Russian supply lines are failing to keep troops fed, warm, and supplied with weapons. Russia has also lost several key commanders, leaving the invasion largely rudderless.
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As a result, it appears Russian troops are no longer in the mood to fight. Ukraine has since publicly claimed several Russians have surrendered, with a few even going on national TV to slam Putin and Russian propaganda. If Ukraine was hoping it would change Putin's mind, it appears to have only made him more desperate.
Is Putin killing his own men?
It's unclear just how badly Russia is bleeding, with the Kremlin refusing to detail the number of soldiers injured and killed in the conflict. However, it appears to be large enough for Putin to call on reinforcements from Chechnya, Syria, and is reportedly courting China and North Korea for help. Putin has been forced to do so because low morale is forcing Russians to abandon their posts, and in some cases shoot themselves to return home wounded.
"Russian forces are aware of the hopelessness of their situation and increasingly choosing desertion to avoid death," noted the Centre for Defence Strategies, a Ukrainian think-tank. Amidst these reports, The Daily Mail wrote on March 22, 2022, that Putin has now ordered "execution squads" into Ukraine, with the sole purpose of stopping defections and desertions. "Russian troops are being ordered to kill defectors trying to flee the war," the Mail wrote.
The article follows a claim on March 12, made by one Russian defector. The unnamed 22-year-old soldier was caught telling the Ukrainian Security Service, "There really is a squad that kills people who try to run home." He added, "By the time we understood the situation, they didn't let us go back. They told us they'd kill us if we went back. The only thing we could really do was surrender."
The claims echo back to the days of World War 2 when USSR leader Joseph Stalin created "commissar squads" to kill those deserting the front lines. However, there's no concrete proof if Putin is indeed using the same tactic. In a March 5 press statement, several captured Russian soldiers made similar claims, with one even saying, "I was given the opportunity to call my parents and they told me that a funeral for me had already been arranged. If we are exchanged, then we will be shot by our own people."
Even if the claims are true, it hasn't stopped Russian forces from deserting. On March 21, Ukraine claimed 300 Russian soldiers "refused to comply with orders to carry out combat" and simply left the Sumy region. The same day, as Ukraine retook a town outside Kyiv, Russians reportedly changed into civilian clothing and stole cars before fleeing. Overall, things don't appear to be good for Putin right now, indicating the war is indeed coming to an end.