Russian commander orders troops to shoot their own: ‘There is no retreat’

Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) says it intercepted a shocking phone call from Donetsk Oblast.

Commander orders troops to shoot their own

In it, a Russian commander reportedly tells his soldiers to open fire on any comrades who try to retreat.

The call, released on September 25, paints a grim picture of how Moscow is trying to stop its front lines from collapsing.

“No one is retreating anywhere”

In the recording, the commander allegedly shouts:

“There is no way to retreat, no way! No one is retreating anywhere; everyone is standing their ground. If anyone runs away, shoot them. I’ll say it again: if anyone runs away, just shoot them.”

The words echo Stalin-era orders and highlight the desperation facing Russian forces.

Ukraine pushes counteroffensive in Donetsk

The intercepted call comes as Ukraine’s army presses its counteroffensive in Donetsk Oblast.

Around 160 square kilometres of territory have been recaptured, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He said seven villages in the Dobropillia and Pokrovsk areas are now back under Ukrainian control.

Moscow’s troops under severe pressure

With Ukrainian advances continuing, Russian units are under mounting strain.

Analysts say orders like this reflect an army stretched to breaking point, forced to use fear and violence to keep soldiers in place.

Independent Russian journalists have reported on mass desertions at the front.

50,000 Russian soldiers have deserted

An investigation by the outlet Important Stories found that more than 50,000 Russian troops have deserted since February 2022.

Many were caught, forced back into combat, or imprisoned.

Those who return to the front often face near-suicidal conditions, according to people familiar with the fighting.

Echoes of Wagner Group tactics

This is not the first time Russian forces have been accused of shooting their own.

The Wagner mercenary group became notorious for executing fighters who tried to retreat.

In some cases, deserters were reportedly killed in public to terrify others into staying at their posts.

Putin raises penalties for desertion

After Moscow’s partial mobilisation in September 2022, President Vladimir Putin increased prison terms for desertion and surrender.

Soldiers who flee can now face three to ten years in jail.

Rights groups say the move institutionalised fear inside Russia’s military machine.

A brutal war with no easy exit

These revelations show how far Russia’s military discipline has deteriorated.

Observers argue that such orders point to a war Moscow cannot easily exit without risking rebellion within its own ranks.

For Ukrainian forces, it is proof their counteroffensive is biting.

Orders of this kind remain unverified

The authenticity of the audio released by HUR has not been independently confirmed.

However, the contents align with past behaviour documented by journalists, defectors and human rights groups.

Whether or not this call is genuine, the story fits a pattern of coercion and violence in Russian ranks.

This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation