Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
“Soon you will receive a soldier with broken legs.”
“Soon you will receive a soldier with broken legs.”
What is happening?
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) released a chilling audio recording on Sept. 17, allegedly capturing a Russian soldier describing brutal punishment for attempted desertion.
The call claims a fellow soldier was severely injured to stop him from fleeing the battlefield near Mariupol.
“He’ll arrive with broken arms and legs”
In the intercepted call, a voice believed to be a Russian serviceman states, “We caught a ba*tard near Mariupol. Soon you will receive a soldier with broken legs.”
He goes on to say the man would also have broken arms.
The tone is matter-of-fact—eerily casual about the abuse.
“Bait for the Ukrainians”
The soldier adds that the maimed man will be sent back, left to lie “like bait for the Ukrainians.”
Authenticity unverified, but pattern fits
The recording has not been independently verified, but the report adds to a growing list of accounts suggesting that Russia is facing a desertion crisis within its ranks—and using extreme measures to suppress it.
Over 50,000 deserters since 2022
According to a May report by the independent Russian media outlet Important Stories, more than 50,000 Russian soldiers have deserted since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Few are imprisoned—most are sent back
Citing classified documents, the outlet Verstka reported that over 1,000 soldiers wanted for desertion were detained in just one month.
Surprisingly, only about 10 were imprisoned. The majority were reportedly returned to their units—and forced back into combat.
Sent to the “Meat Grinder”
Those who are sent back often face some of the most dangerous missions.
Russian commanders reportedly assign these troops to “meat grinder” assaults, where survival odds are slim.
It’s a brutal form of punishment, and a clear deterrent to others.
Kremlin avoids mass arrests to limit backlash
Rather than pursue mass imprisonments, Russia’s Defense Ministry appears focused on reusing soldiers, regardless of morale or condition.
This approach, experts say, helps avoid domestic political backlash while maintaining troop numbers at the front.
Desertion laws toughened, but brutality prevails
In September 2022, President Vladimir Putin implemented tougher penalties for desertion and surrender—ranging from three to 10 years in prison.
Yet, many reports suggest commanders rely more on fear and violence than legal action to keep troops in line.
A military gripped by fear and coercion
The intercepted call—if genuine—paints a bleak picture of the Russian military.
With desertion rising, and commanders allegedly resorting to physical mutilation, it reveals a force struggling to hold itself together through coercion rather than conviction.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
