A mobilized Russian officer from military unit 95482 (Chita) told ASTRA about another place where Russian soldiers and officers who have «failed» are being held. This pit is located near the village of Elenovka in the so-called «DPR» (Donetsk region). 

In an exclusive interview with ASTRA, the serviceman explained why they can be sent there, why they can be shoot by their own people, and how much the high command knows about the existence of these illegal pits.

— What is this pit used for?

— It is used for punishment. This is a minimum of three days of imprisonment and a fine: 25-30 thousand rubles for each day of imprisonment. Men are imprisoned mainly for drunkenness, leaving their positions to go to the store, to the village, or to visit neighboring positions. Well, or simply, if they didn’t appeal to the authorities. This is the second hole in. The first one, as I heard, was closed by the prosecutor’s office and scolded. But now a new one has been dug up in a secret place where no one is really allowed. The regiment commander is aware of it, and the battalion commander is in charge of it. Both soldiers and officers are sitting in the pit. They are simply beaten and thrown into it. There’s an earthen floor. You sleep on rags. «Prisoners» may not be given food or drink.

— Where is the approximate location of the pit you reported about?

— Elenovka, this is a village between Dokuchaevsk and Donetsk, on the territory of the «DPR». People from all over the regiment are brought there.

— When did you first learn about the existence of such pits?

— They have always been. Every regiment, every unit has one. We came here in November, and then they explained to us that there is such a punishment.

— There are statutory punishments in the army. Why aren’t they used?

«Nobody gives a fuck, the charter and laws don’t apply here.»

— What statutory punishments are provided for the offenses that you listed?

— Guardhouse, deprivation of bonuses… And then, in the guardhouse there are only ordinary personnel, it seems.

— You mentioned that «prisoners» pay fines. How do they do this if the cards mostly stay with their relatives?

– We also have cards. From there the transfer is made to a figurehead, and he goes and withdraws cash. Or they give you cash right away. A receipt is always written stating that he allegedly borrowed from someone, this is exactly the same dummy person, he is always the same, such and such an amount up to such and such a date. As a result, the money goes into the pocket of the battalion commander.

— Do the «prisoners» then return to their positions?

– It depends. They can send them to dig trenches.

— And then how does everyone look into each other’s eyes after returning?

– Don’t know. I have never handed over mine. If they were caught, it was by themselves and the battalion command. I don’t take money from mine either.

— So, you personally didn’t send anyone into these pits?

– Personally, I don’t. I cover mine to the end, even if they mess up.

— In general, such pits are never empty?

– No. Even yesterday there were three people in it.

—Is there anyone among the «prisoners» who were sent there for refusing to fight?

– We are mobilized, we basically do not fight. We are sitting on the defensive. People who refuse to fight can even be shot by their own people, so a pit is even humane.

– Do you know about such cases?

– About the executions? No. But the rumors are circulating for a reason.

— How much does high command know about these pits?

– Everyone knows about them. Everyone shares with everyone. Battalion commanders with deputies, regiment commander. I think the higher ups know too. Nobody hides anything about these pits, as well as about the amount of extortions. If the entire command of the regiment is placed under investigation, right down to the deputies of the battalion commander, then these pitfalls will stop. In the meantime, there is no point in complaining to your superiors.

— What are the mobilized people in your regiment like? How prepared are they for combat?

— It’s a misconception that those who are mobilized are all like Rambo. The average age is about 35, all of them are civilians. The bulk are from villages. Shift workers mostly. There are even few hunters, thanks to Russian weapons legislation. There are many with chronic diseases, alcoholics, pot smokers…

— Are prisoners also put in these pits?

– Don’t know. I never saw the prisoners and didn’t even hear much about them.

— How do commanders find out about misconduct?

— The military police catch them, the unit commanders hand them over themselves. Or the command itself is looking for it – they can catch someone walking around the village. Even if they find out that I told you about it, they will also come, beat me and throw me in it.

— Why did you then decide to take such a risk and inform us about this pit?

— Even though I am a commander, such an attitude towards soldiers is unacceptable for me.

Author: Lisa Chuharova

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ASTRA is the only publication that was able to find, confirm and publish videos from illegal cellars confirming the fact of their existence.

In total, ASTRA has already found 16 places where Russian military personnel were or are being held for refusing to fight. We spoke with more than 70 relatives of military personnel who passed through these places. Their identities have been confirmed. Some of their evidence was published in ASTRA articles. We also published exclusive photos and videos Zavitna Bazhannya, Rubezhny, Kremennaya,  Starobelsk and others. In addition, ASTRA conducted the only existing interview with a Russian military man who went through several such pits, was able to free himself and told all the details in the first person in an exclusive interview with ASTRA.

Despite this, at the moment there is not a single public reaction from the Russian authorities to the fact of the illegal detention of the Russian military in such places. Just as there is not a single criminal case initiated on this fact.