In a shocking revelation, the Biden administration has accused Russian military commanders of executing their own soldiers for insubordination and threatening entire units with death if they attempt to retreat from combat in Ukraine.
This information was shared by John Kirby, the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, during a press briefing on Thursday.
Kirby stated, "We also have information that Russian commanders are threatening to execute entire units if they seek to retreat from Ukrainian artillery fire." The spokesperson did not provide specific details, such as the number of Russian troops executed for failing to follow orders or examples of units threatened with execution for attempting to retreat.
The Russian government and its Defense Ministry have yet to respond to these allegations made by the U.S..
Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials reported that despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces continue their unsuccessful offensive to seize the eastern city of Avdiivka. Kirby described the Russian military's strategy as "human wave tactics," where inadequately trained and ill-equipped soldiers are thrust into battle and subsequently killed if they refuse to fight.
"Its reprehensible to think that you would execute your own soldiers because they didnt want to follow orders," Kirby expressed during the White House briefing. He also denounced the threats to execute retreating units as "barbaric."
Kirby further commented on the situation, stating, "I think its a symptom of how poorly Russias military leaders know theyre doing and how bad they have handled this from a military perspective."
This latest information from the White House aligns with previous reports, including those from the British Ministry of Defense, which suggested that the regular Russian military has deployed "barrier troops" to shoot any potential deserters.
A Ukrainian military spokesperson has reported that approximately 5,000 Russian forces have been killed or wounded and 400 armored vehicles have been destroyed near the towns of Avdiivka and Marinka, southwest of Donetsk City, since October 10.
Kirby added that since October 11, Russia had lost "at least 125 units of armored vehicles around Avdiivka and more than a battalions worth of military equipment." He also noted that the Russian troops in Avdiivka are grappling with "low morale."
"They are in such desperate need to make some kind of progress, particularly in the Donbas, the Donetsk areas, that they are literally throwing young men into the fight who havent been properly trained, havent been properly equipped, and certainly are not being properly led," Kirby concluded.
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