Russian Soldiers Face Torture for Refusing Orders in Kherson Region

Russian military commanders in the Kherson region are allegedly torturing their own soldiers who refuse dangerous and poorly planned missions, according to reports from the ATESH resistance movement.

Russian soldiers in the 61st Separate Mechanized Brigade who declined to follow what have been described as “suicidal orders” faced severe punishment. Some were thrown into pits without food or water for days, then forced into combat missions where many died. Their bodies were reportedly abandoned, leaving them officially listed as “missing.”

The ATESH resistance, a Ukrainian-led partisan group, revealed that these incidents occurred in December. A member embedded within the brigade reported that commanders increasingly rely on physical violence to enforce obedience, even for minor offenses.

The group’s statement painted a grim picture: “In December, several servicemen who refused to participate in a poorly organized assault on an island in the Dnipro River were thrown into a pit for three days without food or water. They were then sent to another assault, where they perished. Their remains were never recovered.”

The ATESH movement claims that the mental state of many Russian soldiers is deteriorating rapidly under such conditions. Threats, beatings, and confinement in pits have reportedly become routine disciplinary measures. Previously used only for serious offenses, these punishments are now applied at the slightest provocation, fostering fear and despair within the ranks.

One source noted that soldiers feel increasingly expendable: “If you become unwanted, you will not last long,” the statement concluded.

This report also highlighted broader issues within the Russian forces. Ethnic conflicts among soldiers have reportedly intensified, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region, further straining an already fragile morale.

The revelations come amid ongoing reports of sabotage operations targeting Russian military supply chains. Earlier this month, ATESH claimed responsibility for disrupting the transport of Iskander missiles via Russian railroads, further complicating Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.