Title: Russian Penal Units “Storm-Z” Utilize Drunk Recruits and Insubordinate Soldiers on Frontlines in Ukraine
Subtitle: Soldiers in “Storm-Z” Squads Revealed to be Expendable Assets, Sustain Heavy Losses
Date: October 3, 20XX
By Polina Nikolskaya and Maria Tsvetkova
In a shocking revelation, it has been discovered that the Russian military has been employing penal units known as “Storm-Z” squads, consisting of drunk recruits, insubordinate soldiers, and convicts, to fight on the frontlines in Ukraine. According to multiple sources, including five fighters from the units, these individuals are considered expendable and face high mortality rates.
One regular soldier, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that he encountered a group of wounded Storm-Z fighters on the battlefield near the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, despite being ordered by a commander to leave them behind. He revealed that these fighters were often perceived as inferior to ordinary troops and were given less value by their superiors.
The soldier also disclosed that recruits with alcohol on their breath were immediately sent to the Storm-Z squads. This information was confirmed by relatives of Storm-Z members, who explained that these squads were formed by combining convicts seeking a pardon with regular soldiers being punished for disciplinary breaches.
The penal squads, consisting of approximately 100-150 individuals, are embedded within regular army units and are often sent to the most exposed areas of the frontlines. Multiple interviews with witnesses confirmed that the Storm-Z fighters sustain heavy losses in the battle, with several squads reportedly wiped out entirely during engagements.
The recruitment of these squads marks a departure for Russia in Ukraine, as the Storm-Z units come under the direct command of the defense ministry, unlike the Wagner mercenary group, which previously sent convicts to fight on the frontline.
The Russian defense ministry has never officially acknowledged the existence of Storm-Z units. However, reports of these squads surfaced in April, following leaked information from a Russian military report on their formation. Reuters is the first news organization to compile a comprehensive account of how the squads are assembled and deployed by speaking to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
Despite the lack of official recognition, Russian state-controlled media has reported that Storm-Z squads participated in intense battles and some members were awarded medals for bravery. However, details about the formation process or the losses sustained by these squads have not been disclosed.
It is currently unclear how many soldiers in total are serving in the Storm-Z units. However, based on interviews with individuals familiar with the matter, it is estimated that several hundred Storm-Z fighters are currently deployed on the frontlines.
The use of convict and disciplinary units in warfare is not unprecedented. In 1942, during the retreat of the Red Army, Soviet leader Josef Stalin ordered soldiers who panicked or abandoned their posts into “punishment battalions,” which were deployed to the most dangerous parts of the front.
Both Ukraine and Russia have reportedly employed convicts as fighters in the ongoing conflict, occasionally providing them with the opportunity for release in exchange for their participation on the battlefield.
As the Storm-Z units continue to operate in Ukraine, questions surrounding their existence and the treatment of their members remain. While the Kremlin declined to comment on the matter, concerns about the welfare and safety of these fighters persist.