Russian soldiers “shot down” by their leaders if they do not advance, according to a French volunteer

It is a gripping testimony, describing the brutality and intensity of the fighting in Ukraine in recent weeks. Lucci, a French fighter engaged in the International Legion, explained to LCI how Moscow is increasing attacks on the Ukrainian front, even if it means suffering enormous losses.

And Russian soldiers would be ordered to advance at all costs, particularly in the Kursk region with the aim of recovering the pocket taken by the Ukrainians during the summer. “It’s pretty crazy, there’s no going back, there’s no going back,” he said. I think that behind it, there must be leaders pushing and the soldiers have no choice: they are forced to move forward. Those who retreat are shot, it is direct death. »

“Meat”

The Russians “rush on the positions, it’s all or nothing” continues the fighter. “It’s meat used like that, they don’t care at all. »

While it is difficult to determine the exact number of victims in the conflict, a study published in September by the Wall Street Journal puts the number of Russians and Ukrainians dead or injured since the start of the conflict at more than a million. There would thus be 80,000 dead and 400,000 injured on the Ukrainian side and 200,000 dead and 400,000 injured on the Russian side.

The BBC reports a lower toll with at least 70,000 deaths within the Russian army. A toll that is seriously increasing.