The Russian military is reportedly misinforming its soldiers regarding leave, sending them instead to conduct trench digging operations in the occupied region of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast. This practice has been revealed by agents of a partisan movement, who have documented instances of soldiers being officially granted leave while being deployed to combat zones.
In 2025, over 90 soldiers from the 24th Motorized Rifle Regiment were reported to have been placed on leave, only to find themselves engaged in fortifying defensive positions in Bakhmut. According to the partisan group, this tactic is a response to a critical shortage of personnel, exacerbated by significant casualties.
While officially on leave, these soldiers are effectively performing military duties in a conflict area. This deceptive practice has led to serious consequences, including incidents where soldiers have sustained injuries.
“During one of these ‘leaves,’ a serviceman was injured by a mine. Following the incident, the unit’s command allegedly falsified documents, classifying the injury as occurring during a combat mission,” the report states.
Furthermore, the partisan movement has indicated that Russian soldiers are being threatened with reassignment to assault units if they disclose information regarding the false leave scheme. The group continues to monitor and report such abuses within the Russian command structure.
Russian soldiers are being misled about their leave status, with many sent to combat zones instead. Reports indicate that this practice is linked to personnel shortages and has resulted in injuries among troops.