Russian Soldiers Face Brutal Punishment for Desertion
A disturbing trend has emerged in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where Russian soldiers who desert or refuse to fight are being subjected to brutal punishments. One such practice, known as "sacrifice to Baba Yaga," involves tying the soldier to a tree, leaving them at the mercy of Ukrainian drones. Baba Yaga, a fearsome witch from Slavic folklore, is used as a mythical figure to instill fear in Russian soldiers.
According to a Ukrainian drone battalion commander, who goes by the callsign Munin, this practice has been observed multiple times. Russian commanders order their subordinates to be tied to trees as punishment for desertion, essentially leaving them to die. In one recorded instance, a commander instructed a subordinate to "hide him somewhere" and then "take him out and tie him to a tree" within 30 minutes.
Many Russian soldiers have fled the battlefield due to the harsh conditions and constant threat of death. Those who are caught are often subjected to torture and mistreatment. In one video, a Russian serviceman from Kamensk-Uralsky is seen tied to a tree, explaining that he fled his post after being spooked by a Ukrainian drone. He claims a fellow soldier offered to "make him '300'" – a term used to signify a wounded fighter – in exchange for being withdrawn from the battlefield ¹.
The videos showcasing these brutal punishments paint a grim picture of life inside Putin's army. With tens of thousands of Russian men estimated to have fled since the start of the full-scale invasion in early 2022, it's clear that many soldiers are desperate to escape the conflict. Social media channels, such as Telegram, provide a glimpse into the deep anxieties and desperation felt by soldiers and their families, shedding light on why some Russian servicemen choose to quit.
The practice of tying soldiers to trees as punishment for desertion highlights the harsh realities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As Moscow's forces continue to push forward, the treatment of soldiers who refuse to fight raises questions about the Russian military's values and priorities.
Source :CNN /Andrew Carey and
