The Russian Emergency Ministry recently released an updated manual detailing methods for digging mass graves in wartime, a move that has raised international attention as Russia's reported losses in Ukraine continue to mount.
Detailed Illustrations
Distributed to Russian forces, the manual outlines step-by-step instructions for constructing mass graves capable of holding up to 100 bodies, reflecting the scale of reported casualties, according to Kyiv Independent.
According to the document, each mass grave should measure 20 meters (65 feet 7 inches). in length, 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) in width, and 2.3 meters (7 feet 6 inches) in depth, requiring a total of 368.5 man-hours to complete.
The manual, which includes detailed illustrations, also offers guidance on situations where cremation is permitted, aiming to minimize contamination from chemical, biological, or radiological agents.
Facing Immense Personnel Losses
The original version of this manual was released in 2021, a year before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as a precautionary guide on mass casualty management in case of attack.
However, its updated release amid the ongoing conflict suggests an urgent need as Moscow reportedly faces immense personnel losses.
According to Ukrainian estimates, Russian casualties have reached over 700,000 dead or wounded as of early November.
Russia’s significant losses have been attributed in part to its “mass wave” assault tactics, which rely on overwhelming Ukrainian defenses with sheer numbers despite high casualty rates.
To maintain these numbers, Moscow has incentivized military service by offering financial rewards, enlisting migrant workers, and recruiting from impoverished regions.
North Korea, a rare ally, has recently contributed between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to support Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
