Due to low morale and reluctance to fight, Russian forces have probably started deploying “barrier troops” or “blocking units”. They threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers, the intelligence report of the British Ministry of Defence states on Twitter. According to the British military, recently, Russian generals likely wanted their commanders to shoot deserters.
Generals also likely wanted the soldiers to maintain defensive positions to the death.
The tactic of shooting deserters likely attests to the low quality, low morale and indiscipline of Russian forces.
The so-called barrier troops, a practice used in the Second World War, have been deployed by the Russians before. These are the troops that follow the others and are supposed to shoot their colleagues who retreat instead of engaging in combat.
