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Blockade troops or anti-withdrawal troops are special forces placed behind troops in the front line to prevent soldiers from escaping. If they do, they’re afraid of being shot by those barrier troops.
A video of such an action has now surfaced, recorded by a Ukrainian drone. A video circulated on Telegram channels shows suspected Russian troops fleeing to a position as other soldiers approach them.
Soldiers without helmets and weapons
Some refugees don’t have helmets and have lost or thrown away their weapons. The approaching troops do not hesitate: they push the soldiers to the ground and open fire. Blick refrains from showing the video.
The three armed soldiers sometimes shoot in the air, but also directly at two comrades lying on the ground. Some fall to the ground, it is unclear whether they are injured.
It is not clear when and where the video was taken. According to the Kiev Post, Unian, a major Ukrainian news agency, has confirmed the authenticity of the video. Such Russian barrier troops have been deployed in Ukraine for months.
“They threatened to destroy us one by one”
The British Secret Service had already reported on the existence of such troops last November. It said on Twitter: “These units threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers to force offensives and have been used by Russian forces in previous conflicts.”
In May, a video of Russian soldier Alexander Gorin angrily lashing out at the public made headlines. He was part of an assault troop that suffered heavy casualties at the front and decided to withdraw. This was stopped by the superiors: «They placed blockade troops behind us and did not let us leave our position… They threatened to destroy us one by one and as a unit. They want to execute us as witnesses to a totally irresponsible criminal leadership.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
