Last updated: 15.01.2024, 05:16 a.m.
By: Jakob Koch
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The Storm-Z units of the Russian military consist of criminals and punished soldiers. Now they have been transferred to a new front within Ukraine. © Screenshots X
The Storm-Z units in Ukraine, like Wagner troops once were, are made up of criminals. Currently, Russia is sending them to a new front.
Moscow – In Russia, more and more convicts are being sent to war against Ukraine. Moscow has released up to 100,000 prisoners from prisons and sent them into the conflict in Ukraine, according to the government and human rights activists. The promise of a pardon and a relatively high salary found many volunteers. This procedure was introduced by the now deceased head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. In addition to Wagner, there is another unit of the Russian army, called Storm-Z. Currently, soldiers of the force are being transferred to the Sivershchyna front in the north of Ukraine.
'Only meat': Storm-Z fighters in Ukraine have 'lowest priority' for Russia
Initially, these "Storm Z" troops were intended to serve as elite units in the ranks of the Russian army. However, it quickly became apparent that the "Storm Z" units did not fulfill this task – and were in fact made up of a mixture of convicts and regular soldiers who had to undergo disciplinary action. According to a report by the British Ministry of Defense, these units have the "lowest priority" in terms of logistics and medical supplies for Moscow. "Assault fighters are just meat," a contract soldier from unit 40318 recently told Reuters.
His unit was deployed near the embattled city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. While providing medical attention to a group of six or seven wounded Storm-Z fighters on the battlefield, he defied a commander's order to leave the men behind. The reasons for this order remained unclear to him. However, this event exemplifies how the Storm-Z fighters are considered less valuable by the officers than conventional troops.
Russia's Storm-Z troops in Ukraine: current transfers to the Sivershchyna front
At the moment, Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, warns that preparations are underway for the resumption of Russian offensive operations on the Sivershchyna front. According to a Telegram message from Syrskyi, for this reason, the Russian Armed Forces are relocating the Storm-Z units and forming assault companies. This is reported, among others, by Ukrainska Pravda. Also on this front, the Storm-Z units are likely to come in handy for the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Russian-founded, independent group Conflict Intelligence Team recently declared: "These fighters are simply sent to the most dangerous places on the front lines, whether for defense or attack."
Soldier gives insights: Pay for Russian Storm-Z units in Ukraine at 1900 euros
Recently, another Storm-Z soldier gave the US-funded channel "Sever Realii" insights into the Russian army's recruitment attempts. According to him, prisoners are lured with promising visions and generous sums of money. There is talk that soldiers will receive the equivalent of up to 1,900 euros if they fight in Ukraine. In the event of injuries, the soldiers would reportedly be entitled to compensation of 29,400 euros. By the way, there is no official information on this from the Kremlin. The Russian Ministry of Defense has never admitted to the formation of Storm-Z units. (Jako
)