Kathrine Frich
Units judged to have underperformed in battle are deliberately given the worst ammunition.
Units judged to have underperformed in battle are deliberately given the worst ammunition.
Russian Units Punished With Faulty Ammunition
Russian frontline units that fail to meet their objectives in Ukraine are being punished in a chillingly unconventional way.
Instead of facing traditional disciplinary action, commanders reportedly supply them with poor-quality artillery shells, many of which miss their targets by up to two kilometers.
Ammunition From Russia and North Korea Floods the Front
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian artillerymen are increasingly receiving shells produced domestically and imported from North Korea.
These munitions are said to be unreliable and inaccurate, leaving frontline soldiers frustrated and vulnerable.
From Soviet Stockpiles to Substandard Shells
At the start of the war, Russian forces relied heavily on stockpiles of Soviet-era shells, which soldiers said performed their role effectively.
Over time, those supplies ran low, and Moscow turned to newer production and foreign imports.
The result has been a dramatic fall in quality.
Iranian Ammunition Seen as More Reliable
The ISW report noted according to Digi24, that Russian troops have expressed satisfaction with Iranian-made ammunition.
In contrast to their Russian and North Korean counterparts, Iranian shells are said to function more consistently and with far greater accuracy.
“Punishment” for Underperforming Units
A Russian military blogger cited by ISW described how units judged to have underperformed in battle are deliberately given the worst ammunition.
This practice is seen as a form of punishment, forcing already demoralized soldiers to rely on faulty shells while under fire.
Missed Targets and No Guidance
The blogger added that Russian-made shells often miss intended targets by between one and two kilometers.
To make matters worse, local manufacturers reportedly provide no manuals or technical guidance, leaving troops to guess how best to use the unreliable munitions.
