British Secret Services
Russia may be shooting at Ukraine deserters
British secret services report that Russian generals would use special units against their own soldiers – to prevent them from deserting. (Pictured: Sergey Surovikin, Commander of the Joint Forces Group in the Military Special Operations Area) Photo
© Uncredited/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP/dpa
Special units on the Russian side are supposed to prevent their own soldiers from leaving the combat area. The aim is probably to hold positions in Ukraine until death, according to British secret services.
According to estimates by the British government, Russia has deployed units in the war against Ukraine that are intended to prevent its own soldiers from retreating and deserting.
“Obviously due to low morale and fear of combat, the Russian armed forces have begun deploying ‘barrier troops’ or ‘blocking units’,” a Defense Ministry report said in London. These units threatened to shoot retreating soldiers to force offensives.
London: Generals want to hold positions to the death
Such an approach is also known from earlier conflicts. Russian generals are apparently intent on holding positions to the death, the statement continued. “The tactic of shooting deserters is probably a testament to the poor quality, low morale and poor discipline of the Russian armed forces.”
The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The government wants to counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line.
Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.