Russian Soldiers Face Harsh Punishments Amid Rising Desertion

Reports have emerged detailing severe punishments faced by Russian soldiers who refuse to continue fighting in Ukraine. Videos circulating on social media depict distressing scenes, including soldiers tied to trees and left vulnerable to attack from Ukrainian drones. This brutal treatment has been likened to a ritual sacrifice to Baba Yaga, a mythical figure known for her fearsome reputation in Slavic folklore.

In a disturbing video obtained by CNN, a Russian serviceman is seen tied to a tree, left to the mercy of a Ukrainian drone strike. A radio intercept reveals a commander ordering a subordinate to “tie him to a tree” as punishment for desertion, highlighting the lengths to which some military leaders are willing to go to maintain control over their troops. The commander’s voice is unmistakably clear as he repeats the order: “Hide him somewhere, then take him out and tie him to a tree … in the next half hour.”

Ukrainian drone battalion commander, known by the callsign Munin, reported similar incidents, stating that any large Ukrainian drone is referred to as Baba Yaga. He explained, “It spreads terrible panic in these damaged people,” illustrating the psychological toll of such punitive measures on Russian soldiers.

As Moscow’s forces continue to make gradual advances in Ukraine, the grim realities of military life are becoming evident. Tens of thousands of Russian men are believed to have fled since the onset of the full-scale invasion in early 2022. One video, reportedly filmed last winter, shows a soldier from Kamensk-Uralsky expressing his fear of drones overhead. He recounts a chilling exchange with a fellow soldier who suggested he could be “made ‘300’,” a term signifying a soldier who has been wounded.

The soldier declined the offer but was shot, leading to his capture. With a cable binding him to the tree, he anxiously looked skyward as a voice warned him of an impending drone strike. The footage ends with the soldier’s fate uncertain, underscoring the dangers faced by those who attempt to escape.

Desperate appeals from soldiers reveal a brewing crisis within the ranks. Social media platforms, particularly Telegram, have been used by soldiers to voice their grievances. One soldier, identified as Yuri Duryagin, made a personal appeal to President Putin, describing the dire conditions in the Donetsk region. He lamented the loss of comrades due to inadequate equipment and ammunition, noting that only 32 out of 150 men in his company survived a recent assault. Duryagin also claimed he received less than a fifth of his salary, while reporting that battlefield fatalities were often concealed to avoid compensating families.

The organization Get Lost, founded by Grigory Sverdlin, has been instrumental in aiding Russian soldiers who seek to desert or avoid conscription. Based in Barcelona, Spain, Sverdlin’s group claims to have assisted around 1,700 individuals since its inception six months into the invasion. He estimates that desertions from the Russian army number in the tens of thousands, with some reports suggesting figures as high as 50,000, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The stark realities faced by soldiers during training—often lasting only one to three weeks—coupled with a culture of nihilism, have contributed to the rising number of desertions. Morale within the ranks appears low, with many soldiers expressing sentiments such as, “I don’t want to die here,” and “It’s not my war.” Sverdlin emphasized that the indifference of commanders towards the lives of their soldiers is palpable, stating, “For Russian officers, losing a tank or vehicle is much worse than losing 10 or 20 people.”

Reports indicate that those convicted of desertion may face sentences of up to 15 years in prison, yet the videos circulating online suggest that extrajudicial punishments are frequently employed. One video shows a man stripped to his underwear, confined in a metal tank, while another depicts a soldier being dragged behind a vehicle in a punishment informally known as “the carousel.”

CNN reached out to Russia’s Ministry of Defense regarding these egregious punishments but did not receive a response. Estimates from Western governments suggest that approximately one million Russians have been killed or wounded since the invasion began. As the conflict continues, the challenges of morale and desertion are mirrored on both sides, yet the Russian soldiers’ overwhelming sentiment remains one of confusion and despair about their purpose in the ongoing war.