Reports have emerged indicating that some Russian soldiers are facing coercion to renew their military contracts amid an escalating conflict. This unsettling information was shared by the Ukrainian partisan movement Atesh, which claims to have an agent embedded within the ranks of the Russian military. According to Atesh, soldiers in the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade are under significant pressure from their higher command to either extend their contracts or be assigned to perilous deployment zones.
The concept of “meat assaults” has come to the forefront in this context, representing large-scale offensive operations in which troops are dispatched in waves to assault enemy positions with minimal support and protection. Such operations have been described as “suicide missions” due to their inherently high casualty rates. Atesh reported that soldiers are being coerced into signing contracts for a minimum of three years, with a warning that those who refuse could find themselves transferred to the Kursk Axis—a region where the risks of severe loss of life are clearly communicated by their superiors.
The situation in the Kursk region is particularly tense, having seen intensified fighting following a surprise advance by Ukrainian forces in mid-2024. Notably, thousands of North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russian efforts in the area. However, South Korea’s defense ministry has expressed concern over the treatment of these troops, suggesting that they are being utilized as “cannon fodder.” Many of these reinforcements have been placed in high-risk frontline positions, ostensibly to shield Russian forces from direct combat.
Historically, the Russian military has drawn criticism for its apparent disregard for the safety of its troops, often resulting in substantial casualties. One soldier from the 1009th regiment described harrowing conditions where his unit faced heavy artillery fire. Despite the nearly complete destruction of his contingent, commanders insisted on advancing, leading the soldier to lament, “They just chop us up! We’re sent under machine guns, under drones in daylight, like meat. And commanders just shout ‘forward, forward.’”
As of January 30, reports from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suggest that Russia’s military losses have surged beyond 800,000 troops since the onset of the conflict. This staggering figure underscores the grave realities facing Russian soldiers on the battlefield and the extreme measures reportedly being employed by military leadership to maintain personnel levels amidst ongoing hostilities.
