The Russian newspaper Pskovskaya Gubernia reported that up to 60 Russian soldiers refused to fight in Ukraine.
Some troops were threatened with criminal prosecution for desertion or failure to comply with an order after they were fired, according to the paper.
Insider couldn't verify the report on his own.
Pskovskaya Gubernia is known for its independent reporting. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, authorities raided the paper's offices and the homes of senior employees last month.
The report on Telegram appeared to corroborate a local activist's testimony.
The driver who transported some of the paratroopers back to Pskov spoke to Kuzmin.
Russia's military's airborne force, the VDV, has suffered heavy losses in Ukraine, which has hurt their previous elite status.
The 331st Guards Parachute Regiment, a renowned unit within the VDV, lost its commander and at least 39 other members.
Russian forces have suffered heavy losses since the invasion of Ukraine.
The Pskov paratroopers are not the only ones who refused to fight.
New Focus reported that at least 11 members of the Russian National Guard in the Khakassia region rebelled.
Newsweek said that a human rights lawyer said on Telegram that Captain Chitav and 11 of his subordinates refused to invade Ukraine because the orders were illegal.
Some captured Russians said that their leaders lied to them about the plan to invade Ukraine, which left them unprepared for the fierce resistance.
Despite its many advantages, the Russian military has failed to win the war in Ukraine.
Jeremy Fleming, the UK intelligence chief, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "naive" about the situation before invading.
NATO estimated last month that between 7,000 and 15,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in action.
In a rare frank admission, a Kremlin spokesman admitted on Sky News on Thursday that Russia had significant losses of troops.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
