“Assault fighters are just meat” NATO pipeline ticked over: criminals sold kerosene to drivers

So-called “Storm-Z” units are now fighting in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They would each consist of some 100 to 150 men and consist largely of criminals recruited from Russian prisons. However, contrary to official Russian reports, these stormtroopers are used as cannon fodder in the fiercely fought front areas, according to the Reuters news agency.

Unlike the group of Wagner mercenaries that was disbanded in June, the ‘Storm-Z’ fighters are under the direct influence of the Russian defense apparatus. They would have to fight primarily against Ukraine’s counter-offensive in the east and south, Reuters reports. Their existence has not been officially confirmed by Russia, although several independent think tanks, including the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW), have cited evidence about the force.

“Expendable” troops

In addition to prisoners hoping for pardons and financial compensation through their war efforts, regular soldiers are also likely to be turned over to the stormtroopers. They should be punished for disciplinary violations such as alcohol or drug use. Reuters was unable to determine the exact number of ‘Storm-Z’ fighters, but evidence points to at least one number in the high three-digit range.

The troops would be particularly attractive to the Russian military leadership because of their ‘availability’. As evident from interviews between Reuters and anonymous members and their relatives, the “Storm-Z” fighters are “worth less” in the eyes of Russian officers. A contract soldier from Army Unit No. 40318, who fought in the Bakhmut region in May and June, said: “Assault fighters are just meat” and for this reason they received orders that sent them straight to death.

From prison to death

Artyom Shchikin, a 29-year-old from the Mordovia region of central Russia, had been behind bars for theft since December 2021 when he received an offer to join one of the stormtroopers. Although his prison sentence was coming to an end, he agreed, given the relatively good reward of €2,000 per month. He planned to be able to support his family financially.

His family has not heard from him since his unit came under fire in June. The Defense Department did not respond to their questions about his whereabouts. A family member said: “They belonged to a storm department. No one will be in a hurry for them.”

On June 28, one of the stormtroopers rioted and recorded a video of them refusing to return to the front and angry about their treatment. In the unverifiable video they said: “At the front where we were, we were not receiving any ammunition deliveries. We were given no water or food. The injured have not been taken away, the dead are still rotting.” According to relatives of the fighters, they were severely abused by military police in response to the uprising and did not know when they would be allowed to leave the army, Reuters reports.

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