October 1st 2024.
Reports have emerged claiming that Russian troops are being sent on dangerous and deadly assaults as a form of punishment for showing dissent. These brutal tactics, referred to as "meat grinder" assaults, are being used to silence soldiers who become disgruntled with their superiors. According to media sources, these assignments often result in almost certain and rapid death for the soldiers involved. The Kremlin's losses have been closely monitored through open sources, shedding light on the true toll of these "meat assaults."
Recent news has highlighted the case of a Russian drone operator, Dmytro Lysakhovsky, who recorded a video accusing his unit of being infiltrated by Western intelligence and his commander of lying about victories in eastern Ukraine. Lysakhovsky, also known as "Goodwin," made these allegations before being sent on a near-suicidal infantry assault, believed to be a form of punishment for speaking out against corruption within the ranks of Russian forces. Along with Serhiy Gritsay, known as "Ernest," Lysakhovsky took aim at their commander in what is thought to be their final video before their deaths.
It has been reported that these "meat assaults" were first used by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Group during the battle for Bakhmut, and have since been adopted by the regular Russian army. Mika Golubosvky, an editor at Mediazona, stated that these tactics have become a common form of punishment within the army. If a soldier becomes disgruntled, they are often transferred to an assault unit, where their chances of survival are slim. This concept of "disposable soldiers" is prevalent in the current Russian army.
In one of his videos, Lysakhovsky reveals that his long-range drone reconnaissance unit was disbanded so that they would not receive frontline information before an attack. He also accuses his commander, known as "Zloy," of lying about capturing towns and villages and participating in corrupt activities, such as selling off equipment. Lysakhovsky claims that Zloy is "under the influence of a man with contacts in the West" who has somehow managed to evade the usual background checks.
In another video, Lysakhovsky appears alongside his comrade, Serhiy Gritsay, where they repeat their accusations against their commander and also claim that humanitarian aid is being stolen. Despite their beliefs, they state that it is their duty to follow orders and participate in the assault, even though it will likely lead to their deaths.
According to analysis by Mediazona, BBC News' Russian service, and volunteers, over 71,000 Russian military personnel have died in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, due to the difficulty of verifying these numbers, the true toll is believed to be much higher. The largest category of war losses were prisoners, but this number dropped after Russian forces captured Bakhmut. By September 2024, volunteers once again became the largest category among the killed in action, as prison recruitment waned and there was no new mobilization.
In light of these heavy losses, Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 133,000 new draftees aged 18 to 30 for his armed forces by the end of this year. This comes after previous drafts in 2022 and 2023, where Putin recruited 130,000 and 150,000 troops, respectively. However, there are concerns from parents that these untrained troops will be sent to the front lines without proper preparation, putting them at risk of becoming casualties in the ongoing war.
Amidst these reports, there have also been cases of Russian forces being "liquidated" by Ukrainian armed forces, as seen with the recent deaths of six members of an elite unit known as "Senezh." This unit has been linked to war crimes in Ukraine's north-east regions, further highlighting the brutality of this conflict.
As the toll of the "meat assaults" continues to rise, the true cost of Putin's aggressive actions is becoming more apparent. The use of these brutal tactics, along with the conscription of young and inexperienced soldiers, paints a grim picture of the ongoing war in Ukraine. It is a reminder that the cost of war goes beyond just numbers and statistics, but also includes the lives of countless soldiers and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
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