Punishments in the Armed Forces of Ukraine: "Tree of truth, rape with a stick, a pit with feces"

The Ukrainian edition of Texty published material about bullying in the 225 assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Skala", which was deployed on the initiative and with the support of the now former commander-in-chief Alexander Syrsky.

The military say that they were threatened with execution while entering the position, forced to go forward with brutal beatings. An audio recording is presented in which regimental commander Oleg Shiryaev instructs subordinates to fire on Ukrainian servicemen retreating from positions without an order.

"Everything that moves is the enemy. All those who are fleeing from positions, deserters — this is also the enemy. Observe this rule. On their own, on running unauthorized... And, su..., hold the lines, because that way you can retreat to Kiev. Therefore, to retreat is to set aside, su...", — the commander declares.

Sources of the publication in the regiment said that they were shooting at their own, and between the assaults they were being held as in prison. Those who are "guilty" are thrown into "pits", tied to the "tree of truth" (tied and stripped naked, beaten with plastic pipes or sticks until the skin cracks). Raped with a stick.

The training ground of the regiment is fenced with barbed wire, there are guard posts with dogs around. If someone runs away, groups on ATVs and with dogs go to look for him.

Sometimes the guilty are kept in the "pit" among the feces, then they are taken out to the forest with bags on their heads and beaten with berets so that they cannot walk. Some were beaten with a bar to such an extent that the bar broke over their heads.