The ongoing war in Ukraine has exposed the severe strain on Russia’s military forces. As the conflict drags on, reports indicate a growing shortage of troops, forcing the Kremlin to adopt increasingly desperate measures.
With large-scale mobilization politically risky, alternative strategies have emerged—some of which highlight the harsh realities of war for Russian soldiers.
New revelations suggest that even the wounded are not exempt from returning to battle, raising serious concerns about the treatment of troops and the sustainability of Russia’s war efforts.
New evidence has emerged of the Russian military’s desperate attempts to sustain its forces by redeploying wounded soldiers back to the front lines.
Reports from Digi24, citing CNN, reveal footage and testimonies of injured Russian troops, some unable to walk unaided, being forced to fight again.
Desperate Measures to Fill the Ranks
Videos from Ukrainian drone operators and Russian soldiers themselves show fighters with bandaged legs and crutches struggling through battle zones, only to be targeted by Ukrainian forces. One recording shows a wounded soldier hobbling with crutches while a Ukrainian drone drops a mortar round on him.
Another video shows a soldier being dragged from a military hospital in Yeysk, Russia, despite pleading, “I was just operated on yesterday, what are you doing?” The soldier, visibly injured, was loaded onto a transport to be sent back to the front.
Western intelligence sources suggest that this strategy is Russia’s way of maintaining troop levels without resorting to a politically risky nationwide mobilization, which would be unpopular among urban middle-class Russians.
'A One-Way Ticket' to the Battlefield
A former Russian soldier, who managed to escape the country, confirmed that injured troops receive minimal medical treatment before being forced back into combat. He revealed that instead of removing shrapnel from wounds, medics simply apply ointment and discharge soldiers as soon as their injuries appear superficially healed.
According to this source, "They send the disabled back to the front to avoid paying compensation to their families. If a soldier disappears, their family gets nothing. If there's no body, there’s no payout."
Documents recovered from fallen Russian troops around Pokrovsk further confirm that some had been sent into battle with significant injuries, including head trauma and severe wounds.
A Sign of Deeper Problems in Russia’s War Strategy
The use of wounded soldiers highlights the growing strain on Russia’s military as the war drags on. With mounting casualties and no large-scale reinforcements, the Kremlin appears willing to sacrifice its own troops rather than acknowledge the dire situation.
As reports continue to surface, the world watches with increasing concern over the brutal reality faced by Russian soldiers—where even severe injuries do not guarantee an escape from the battlefield.
