Storm-V (Russian: Шторм-V, romanized: Shtorm-V) is a series of penal military units established by a law which was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin which disbanded Storm-Z and replaced it with Storm-V.[2] The V in Storm-V stands for "vityazi", the Russian word for ‘knights.’[3]
| Storm-V | |
|---|---|
| Шторм-V | |
 Russian "V" marker that the unit is named after | |
| Active | June 24, 2023 – present |
| Country | Russia |
| Branch | Russian Armed Forces |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Penal military unit |
| Nickname(s) | "Vityazi"[a] |
| Engagements | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Unknown |
History
editStorm-V was created on 24 June 2023 when Russian President Vladimir Putin disbanded Storm-Z and created Storm V. However, on 12 February 2024, Dmytro Riumshyn, the commander of Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade, claimed that Russian forces were deploying regular troops, sabotage groups, as well as both "Storm-Z" and "Storm-V" penal units in Avdiivka.[4] It was claimed that Storm-V units did not offer pardons or even parole and extend convicts' contracts indefinitely until the end of the war, unlike Storm-Z units where pardon was promised after a 6 months contract.[5][6] The Storm-V was involved in the Battle of Avdiivka.[7] It is currently involved in the Battle of Chasiv Yar.[8]
According to BBC News Russian, Storm-V units are poorly trained like their predecessors in the Storm-Z units, with a member reporting that he and his unit was given just 12 days of training before being sent to the frontline. The same source reported that Storm-V soldiers are often sent on suicidal assaults, and those who refuse to carry out assaults are sent to so-called "punishment pits" or are executed.[9] However, in comparison with Storm-Z units, Storm-V units are given full pay similar to the regular Russian military as well as benefits and allowances.[10]
In October 2024 Finnish media Helsingin Sanomat released an article about a Finnish-speaking Russian prisoner of war who was part of Storm-V.[11] He was interviewed by a Finnish soldier in the RVC unit that captured him. When he was asked about how the Russian military treated you, he answered that they had been "abandoned like wet rags left to dry on our own", "all the wounded are laying around and dying" and that they "had probably eaten more sand here than regular food".[12]
References
edit- ^ "Avdiivka map shows Russian advances as Ukraine makes gains in south". Newsweek. 13 February 2024.
- ^ Belovodyev, Daniil (13 February 2024). "Storm Gladiator: How Russia Uses Recruited Convicts to Fight in 'Fierce' Assault Units in Ukraine". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- ^ Fokht, Liza; Barabanov, Ilya (24 May 2024). "Surviving Storm V – the brutal reality of life on the frontline as a Russian convict fighter". BBC News Russian. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Avdiivka map shows Russian advances as Ukraine makes gains in south". Newsweek. 13 February 2024.
- ^ "Russia no longer offers pardons to convicts going to war - ISW". 26 January 2024.
- ^ Fokht, Elizaveta; Barabanov, Ilya; Ivshina, Olga (28 January 2024). ""If you sign up now, get ready to die, mate." Life on the Ukrainian front for Moscow's new 'Storm V' convict soldiers". BBC Russian News. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Avdiivka map shows Russian advances as Ukraine makes gains in south". Newsweek. 13 February 2024.
- ^ https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-reports-heavy-battles-in-bakhmut-direction-as-russia-pulls-in-reserves/
- ^ Fokht, Liza; Barabanov, Ilya (24 May 2024). "Surviving Storm V – the brutal reality of life on the frontline as a Russian convict fighter". BBC News Russian. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Fokht, Elizaveta; Barabanov, Ilya; Ivshina, Olga (28 January 2024). ""If you sign up now, get ready to die, mate." Life on the Ukrainian front for Moscow's new 'Storm V' convict soldiers". BBC Russian News. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "HS Ukrainassa | Suomalaistaistelija ällistyi, kun venäläisvankien joukossa olikin toinen suomalainen – HS:n saama video näyttää miesten kohtaamisen". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 15 October 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ Suomi-Ukraina Maanpuolustusyhdistys (15 October 2024). Venäjän armeijassa taistelleen Juhan haastattelu Ukrainan armeijan suomalaistaistelijalle. Retrieved 15 October 2024 – via YouTube.