Russian soldiers allege use of "blocking units" to prevent retreat.
Members of Russia's Storm unit made a video appeal to Vladimir Putin, claiming they were sent into combat with blocking units behind them to prevent them from retreating. The soldiers also alleged that officers demanded bribes and would send those who didn't pay to the front. The Guardian verified the accounts given in the video and identified eight men, confirming that three served in the unit. One soldier also alleged that injured soldiers were being returned to the front line without medical assistance.