Russian soldiers ‘blowing themselves up to avoid capture’ as army propaganda tells them they will be tortured if caught

Russian soldiers on the front lines are reportedly resorting to blowing themselves up to avoid capture. According to accounts from troops who did surrender, this desperate measure is driven by army propaganda that warns soldiers they will face torture if they are taken prisoner by the enemy.

In addition to the psychological impact of such propaganda, captured soldiers revealed that conditions on the front line are dire. Many of those who surrendered were found to be in poor physical condition, with a significant number requiring immediate medical care.