By Matt Underwood 
It’s truly disturbing to hear reports of Russian commanders engaging in sadistic abuse and killing of their own troops, with torture methods reportedly including beatings, starvation, humiliation, and even forced cannibalism. These are not minor infractions; they represent a profound level of cruelty and a complete disregard for human life, even for the soldiers under their command. Such allegations, if true, paint a grim picture of the internal dynamics within some segments of the Russian military.
This alleged brutality is not entirely unexpected, given the history of the post-Soviet military. Many who have served in the Red Army, and subsequently the Russian military, speak of it being a deeply unpleasant, even hellish, experience. The concept of “dedovshchina,” a tradition of bullying and hazing of junior soldiers by their seniors, is often cited as a persistent problem, a dark legacy carried forward. This suggests that a culture of extreme hierarchical dominance and mistreatment has unfortunately been ingrained within the system.
The dehumanization of their own troops appears to be a consistent theme, and it’s a chilling thought that this is how they treat their own. If they subject their own soldiers to such barbaric treatment, it naturally leads one to question what they might do to those they consider enemies. The reports of atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, even in the early stages of the invasion, are often cited as evidence of this propensity for extreme violence and barbarism. This internal brutality, therefore, could be seen as a contributing factor to their external actions, fueling a cycle of violence.
The persistence of such severe hazing and mistreatment, even escalating to accusations of forced cannibalism, suggests a system where accountability is either non-existent or deliberately ignored. It seems that the rank-and-file are viewed as expendable resources, little more than serf stock to be used and abused without consequence. The absence of a robust middle tier of non-commissioned officers, who might otherwise provide a buffer or a more structured chain of command, seems to exacerbate this issue, leaving soldiers caught between “grunts” and purportedly “aristocratic” generals.
The notion that such brutal tactics are employed to ensure soldiers do not question orders or attempt to desert is a terrifying prospect. This environment of fear and degradation appears designed to break down individual will, creating soldiers who are too traumatized and demoralized to think for themselves. Instead, they are molded into individuals who, to survive and gain any semblance of power, must themselves become perpetrators of cruelty towards those below them. It creates a disarrayed, disheveled army where the only mechanism for advancement is through the vicious wielding of power over others.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the source of these specific allegations. While the reported instances of abuse are deeply concerning, the Daily Mail is often characterized as a sensationalist publication. This doesn’t automatically invalidate the claims, but it does warrant a degree of caution and a desire for corroboration from more consistently reliable sources. There is a tendency for such outlets to amplify or spin rumors, and while the issues of hazing and brutality in the Russian military are well-documented, the more extreme claims require careful scrutiny.
Despite the reservations about the specific source, the underlying context of the Russian military’s history of harsh treatment of its own soldiers cannot be ignored. Dedovshchina is a known phenomenon, and the current wartime conditions likely exacerbate existing problems. If these extreme accusations are indeed true, it signifies a terrifying escalation of already dire circumstances. It’s a stark reminder of the immense psychological and physical toll war takes, not only on those caught in the crossfire but also, tragically, on the soldiers themselves who are subjected to unimaginable abuse by their own leadership. The idea that this is a “crucial feature” of the Russian army, designed to make soldiers fearless in the face of death, is a deeply unsettling justification for such horrific acts.