Drunk With Power: Putin Forcing Boozing Troops to Front Line in Suicide Missions

If Russian soldiers are caught with the “smell of alcohol” on their breath, Vladimir Putin is reportedly forcing the offenders to the front line in suicide missions as punishment for their boozy ways, according to a new report.

A drunken incident could lead to almost certain death for those troops found to be drinking in Ukraine after they're transferred to the front lines, the Daily Star reported.

These troops are normally part of combat squads, but if they are caught smelling of alcohol, they're being deployed as part of “Storm Z,” an “expendable” group of troops who face almost certain death, according to the Daily Star.

Storm Z troops face serious consequences during their suicide missions, with one soldier claiming only 15 survived out of a 120-member unit following a clash with Ukrainian fighters. Cannon fodder Storm Z troops are often compared to “meat” by other soldiers, according to the Daily Star.

High-ranking officials in the Russian Kremlin reportedly placed little value on the soldiers' chances of survival. Instead, these "punishment battalions" were intended to serve as a stark warning, according to the Daily Star..

One soldier claimed he was ordered to not provide medical treatment to injured men in the Storm Z group, The Sun reported. The troops loyal to Putin believe the lives of the Storm Z troops are not worth as much as others as they're used in the most dangerous missions in Putin's war.

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The Russian defense ministry hasn’t formally acknowledged the creation of the Storm Z group.