The Russian Federation forcibly sends men who refused to fight to Kharkiv Oblast – ISW

All men of this category were sent to the front according to an identical scheme.

Russia forcibly sends men who refused to fight in Ukraine to the front in the Kharkiv region .

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the invaders launched an offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region when the Northern Group of Forces was understaffed. Occupiers awaiting trial are now being sent to this direction.

The opposition publication “Verstka” reported on June 3 that the Russian military authorities have begun forcibly sending hundreds of servicemen who refused to participate in hostilities to the front in Ukraine. In May, they were sent to the north of the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.

The scenario for such occupiers is the same: first they are held in units awaiting trial, then the trials are suddenly canceled, and the men are quickly sent to Ukraine.

The Russian authorities used physical violence to force some soldiers to voluntarily go to Ukraine, while others were taken out of their cells at gunpoint and sent to the front.

According to ISW, at least 170 such cases have been confirmed. Investigators, prosecutors and lawyers did not know about it.

Verstka, citing several sources, including in the Kremlin, writes that the Russian military is sending conscripts and “incompetent” reservists who signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense to non-combat roles in Russia’s border forces in order to free up experienced servicemen for the offensive in the north Kharkiv region.

(C)UNIAN 2024