RUSSIA: Putin's Suicide Squads

Thousands of Russians risk their lives daily on the front lines of Ukraine. These are different to the Russian professional army in that they are part of the notorious Storm-Z units, which were uncovered in the summer of 2023. These luckless sods have the grand job of running in the fields, drawing out Ukraine fire so that the infantry and mechanized units can fire at the enemy. Often, the death rate in the Storm-Z units is around 93%. 

This week, we have a look at who is part of these battalions, and why Putin treats them like cannon fodder. We also break down Russian battle tactics and why does Kremlin think they can win by throwing Russian bodies to the Ukrainian army until they run out of bullets. 

 

WHO IS PART OF THE STORM-Z UNITS?

Storm-Z units primarily consist of penal battalions made up of Russian prisoners hired to fight in Ukraine. These convicts, often pulled straight from jails, sign six-month contracts that place them on the front lines. In exchange, they're promised a generous salary and a clean slate upon fulfilling their terms.

The notorious Wagner leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, initiated this operation, launching a recruitment campaign throughout Russian prisons and gulags. He gathered what many consider the "dregs" of society for the infamous battle of Bakhmut. Wagner saw notable success early on, which led Prigozhin to become increasingly bold and difficult to control. Many will remember the videos of him standing over fallen Wagner fighters, demanding more ammunition and weaponry from Russia’s Ministry of Defense (MOD).

Recognizing the potential of this prisoner force, Putin expanded the concept by creating his own penal battalions, now under Russia's MOD control. These storm units earned their name from their intended purpose—something we’ll explore in more detail later.

Ukrainian authorities first uncovered the existence of these units in the spring of 2023 when they found documents detailing the structure and deployment of these penal battalions. The soldiers are organized in groups of 90 to 120, which are then divided into smaller units and attached to battle-weary Russian professional soldiers. With only 10 to 15 days of training, they are rushed to the front lines. They are also restricted from leaving the front line and are escorted by military police at all times. Their medical care is mostly "self-administered or mutual aid".

Initially, these battalions excluded certain criminals, but as the death toll rose, these restrictions were lifted. Commanders also funnel in normal soldiers as punishment for alcohol or drug abuse.

In addition to hardened criminals, regular citizens find themselves recruited under financial duress—those burdened with debt, gambling losses, or even minor financial infractions like unpaid taxes. These individuals are promised total debt forgiveness and a generous pay-out to their families. For Putin, this tactic is a way to avoid the need for another forced mobilization.

INTO THE MEAT GRINDER 

Storm-Z units are often called "meat" or "cannon fodder," as this is precisely their role. Once the Russian army is in position, the penal units are sent into no man's land, tasked with drawing enemy fire to expose Ukrainian positions. This brutal role contributes to their staggeringly high casualty rate, as they’re forced to charge into enemy lines without any artillery cover and minimal weapons.

Beyond this deadly task, they are also deployed to other vulnerable parts of the front, carrying out various attack or defensive actions. The Russian MOD considers them expendable, so they are consistently placed in the most perilous positions.

To make matters worse, these soldiers are poorly equipped from the start. In an interview, a former Storm-Z soldier, who later fled to Europe seeking political asylum, described the conditions they endured. He recounted that from the moment they enlisted, the other army officials started to demand bribes. It was asked in paltry increments of 500 rubles here or there. Equipment was substandard at best—oversized boots, ragged uniforms, and antiquated weapons that belonged in museums. They even had to buy essential gear themselves. They purchased items from third-party resellers who came to the garrison at exorbitant prices, draining what little money they had.

Once deployed to the front line, the treatment only worsened. Commanders threatened deserters with beatings or death, forcing them to advance directly into Ukrainian artillery fire.

In one instance, around 20 Storm-Z fighters in Zaporizhzhia revolted after going without fresh ammunition, food, or water. They posted a video on Telegram, exposing two soldiers as the leaders of the movement. Those two were subsequently beaten by Russian military police as punishment for their defiance. Afterward, conditions reportedly improved slightly, but it’s doubtful those better times lasted for long.

Twenty Storm-Z fighters rebelled against the Russian MOD in Zaporizhzhia

FORCED TO FIGHT AGAIN AND AGAIN

Another grim reality of the Storm-Z battalions is that soldiers are rarely discharged unless killed or severely incapacitated. Numerous accounts reveal that wounded fighters often receive minimal medical treatment before being rushed back to the front lines—sometimes with open wounds and fresh bandages still in place—a chilling testament to their perceived expendability.

While these soldiers are promised six-month contracts with a monthly salary of around $2,000 USD, the reality is starkly different. Most receive only half of the promised pay, and their service often extends indefinitely. Meanwhile, their families back home are left in the dark, sometimes for months on end, with little to no information about their loved ones' status.

To compound this hardship, the Russian government frequently evades paying death compensation by officially listing fallen soldiers as “deserters” rather than combat casualties. By labeling them as deserters, the government absolves itself of any responsibility to provide death benefits, leaving grieving families not only without answers but also struggling financially, often unaware of what really happened. Despite what is likely a staggering number of losses, families endure months, if not years, of uncertainty about their relatives’ fates.

WHY AM I WRITING ABOUT THIS? 

While my blog primarily focuses on the Ukrainian perspective and the path to victory, I believe it’s essential to also highlight the treatment and suffering of Russian soldiers. I want Russian readers, or those who support Russia, to understand that there is nothing glamorous or heroic about this war. Russian troops on the front lines endure brutal conditions, and in many cases, suffer just as much—if not more—than their Ukrainian counterparts.

Ukrainian soldiers are equipped with modern Western weapons, reliable clothing, and essential gear, along with adequate food and medical support. They are celebrated, respected, and supported by their communities, driven by a clear sense of purpose and a deep commitment to defending their homeland. In stark contrast, many Russian soldiers—including those in the professional army—face severe shortages of weapons, basic gear, and even food. Often sent into battle without proper uniforms, they are forced to wear civilian clothes, making them easily detectable by Ukrainian drones. This lack of camouflage and protection leads to devastatingly high casualties.

The disparity is striking. Ukrainian soldiers are recognized and honored, while many Russian troops feel abandoned, battling under grueling conditions with outdated equipment, unreliable supply lines, and minimal support from their own government. These harsh realities expose them to even greater danger and leave them demoralized. By shedding light on these conditions, I hope to dispel the myth that there is any glory in this war and to show Russian readers that the suffering on both sides is immense and inhumane.

It's essential to understand that this war serves the interests of Vladimir Putin and his regime alone. Why do I say this? Because the West does not have any intention of attacking Russia. NATO is a defensive alliance, established to protect its member states from aggression, not to provoke or initiate conflicts, despite the false claims Putin has repeatedly made.

The Kremlin’s decision to launch this war was a catastrophic miscalculation. Now, the entire Russian population is bearing the consequences—not just penal battalions or professional soldiers. Russians have lost far more than lives; they've lost their freedom, financial security, and the opportunity to live a normal life by modern standards. Travel to the West is restricted, access to global information and social media is either heavily censored or blocked, and the economy is in freefall, with rampant inflation and widespread hardship.

On top of these hardships, families are being torn apart as husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons are sent to die in a senseless war. The human cost is immense, and the suffering it has inflicted on ordinary Russians is immeasurable. This war has brought nothing but devastation, and it is vital that the truth of its consequences be fully recognized—both within Russia and by the international community.

CONCLUSION

In this brutal and tragic conflict, the lives of both Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are being sacrificed, often needlessly. For Ukrainians, the fight is for their homeland, their freedom, and their future. They are equipped and celebrated, backed by a united nation and a clear cause. Russian soldiers, however, are often used as expendable resources—whether in penal units like the Storm-Z battalions or among the regular army—sent to the front lines under-equipped, under-supported, and frequently abandoned by their own leaders.

The Storm-Z units exemplify the merciless disregard for human life that characterizes this war. Soldiers, many of whom come from Russia’s prisons or desperate civilian backgrounds, are lured by false promises, only to face some of the most horrific conditions imaginable. With inadequate training, minimal equipment, and no real support from their government, they are thrust into the front lines, often paying the ultimate price with no recognition or compensation for their families. The Kremlin’s strategy of using sheer numbers to overwhelm Ukraine, despite staggering casualties, underscores a chilling indifference to the human toll on their own soldiers.

While the Ukrainians fight with purpose, Russian soldiers on the front lines are left questioning their fate and their role in a conflict that holds little meaning for them personally. This war is far from the romanticized image often portrayed; it is a brutal, unforgiving ordeal that brings immense suffering to all involved. By shedding light on the experiences of both sides, I hope to convey the profound costs of this conflict and the shared humanity that underlies these tragic stories. This war has left deep scars on soldiers and civilians alike, and its impact will reverberate long after the fighting has ceased.

References:

• United24Media: Russian Soldier Defects to Ukraine After Sabotaging 'Storm Z' Battalion Headquarters
• Newsweek: Russia's Elite 'Storm-Z' Units Now Effectively 'Penal Battalions'—UK
• Verstka: "We Are Really Fucking Orcs": The Story of a Grenade Launcher Deserter from Storm Z Who Is Now Seeking Political Asylum
• Kyiv Post - ‘They’re Just Meat’ – Kremlin Regulations Confirm Storm Z Units Are Just Cannon Fodder