A new video shows a Russian soldier wrapped in cling film and beaten by his commander while hanging from a tree. The footage is part of a broader pattern of systemic abuse within the Russian armed forces.

Cling Film and Tree-Hanging: The Latest Telegram Leak

A disturbing video shared on a Telegram channel depicts a Russian soldier bound in layers of cling film and suspended upside down from a tree. While the soldier spins helplessly in a cocoon-like shell, his commander is seen repeatedly slapping him across the face. According to the report,other soldiers are heard in the background laughing and encouraging the assault while the victim groans in pain.

This specific incident is not an isolated case of misconduct but rather a reflection of a wider culture of violence. The report notes that such punishments are frequently used by commanders to discipline troops who refuse orders, abandon missions, or attempt to extend their sick leave.

GCHQ's 500,000 Death Toll and the Pressure on Putin

The scale of Russian military losses has reached a critical point, with GCHQ head Anne Keast-Butler reporting that nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the invasion of Ukraine began. This figure, disclosed during her inaugural annual lecture,represents a significant increase over previous estimates. For instance, the Washington-based think-tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies had calculated the death toll at 350,000 earlier this month.

The staggering loss of life creates a desperate environment where military discipline is maintained through terror rather than loyalty. As the Russian military faces these mounting casualties, the reliance on brutal disciplinary measures appears to be a tool for preventing mass desertion and maintaining a baseline of obedience in the face of extreme attrition.

From the 132nd Brigade to 'Meat Storm' Suicide Missions

The 132nd Brigade is among the units where extreme disciplinary measures have been documented, including footage of terrified soldiers being duct-taped to trees. In one instance, a commander is heard threatening an elderly soldier with execution while urinating on a younger comrade. As reported by the source, these acts are part of a spectrum of abuse that includes electrocution, denying food, and forcing men to bark like dogs while chained to trees.

This brutality is closely linked to the Russian military's use of "meat storm" battles. These are high-attrition suicide missions where waves of troops are thrown at Ukrainian positions until ammunition runs out. Those who survive these missions but refuse to return, or those who flee the front, often face the most harrowing punishments, such as:

  • Being forced to eat dirt while suffering from broken ribs.
  • Being threatened with "pancakes" (explosive mines) as a form of punishment.
  • Being forced to crawl through mud while commanders kick dirt at their heads.
  • Being chained by the neck inside boxes while being taunted with food.

    • The Unknown Trigger for the Cling-Film Punishment

    Despite the graphic nature of the footage, the specific infraction that led to the cling-film punishment remains unknown. The source does not identify the specific unit involved in this latest video, nor does it name the commander responsible for the beating. Furthermore, while the report details the reactions of the soldiers present, it does not provide a response from the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding these recurring leaks of internal brutality.