US claims Russia is executing troops who disobey orders amid Donbas battlefield failures

Russia has suffered thousands of casualties during the current offensive, but now U.S. officials say some of them are being shot on the orders of their own commanders.

"We have information that the Russian military has been actually executing soldiers who refuse to follow orders," Kirby said.

Washington also has information that Russian commanders are threatening to execute entire units if they try to retreat under Ukrainian artillery fire, he added.

The Russian mobilized forces remain insufficiently trained, poorly equipped and unprepared for combat operations, U.S. and Ukrainian military experts say.

Similarly to the failed winter offensive last year, the Russian military seems to be using the so-called "human wave tactics" - simply throwing masses of poorly trained soldiers into battle, without proper equipment, without leadership, without resources, and without support.

"It is unsurprising that Russian forces are suffering from poor morale, given all these conditions," Kirby stated.

As reported by local outlet iStories, the Russian Defense Ministry has formalized the status of "cannon fodder" for prisoners. Among other things, the document authorizes the execution of Storm Z fighters.