Russian Commanders in Crimea Forge Documents to Send Conscripts to the Front as Contract Soldiers.

23.03.2026 570

23.03.2026 570

Forgery of conscripts' documents in Crimea

Forgery of Military Documents in Crimea

According to UATV: The partisan movement 'Atesh' reports that Russian military commanders in occupied Crimea are forging service documents. Specifically, they are altering the records of conscripted soldiers to deploy them to the front lines under the guise of being contract servicemen. This widespread practice points to severe systemic issues within the Russian military's personnel management. The ongoing war in Ukraine has placed immense strain on Russia's ability to maintain its combat forces.

Over the last two months, more than 15 individuals from the 810th Separate Guards Naval Infantry Brigade have had their documents falsified in this manner. Similar incidents are being observed across other Russian military units throughout Crimea. This raises serious questions about the conditions under which soldiers are coerced into compliance. As an 'Atesh' agent states,

"Commanders first try to persuade them—promising money, benefits, and easy duties. When that doesn't work, the threats begin: being sent to a penal battalion, to the infantry on the front line, or having their service made unbearable."

The Situation Within Russian Forces

This is not an isolated incident. According to the 'Atesh' agent,

"This is not an exception to the rule, but the norm."

The report also notes that 'the regime is experiencing an acute shortage of manpower, particularly in naval infantry units suffering heavy losses at the front.' This situation underscores the significant logistical and morale challenges facing Russian troops. These reports align with broader intelligence assessments of Russian military difficulties.

Simultaneously, Russian military personnel are being forced en masse to switch to a 'sanctioned' messenger app for communications. Furthermore, Russian occupation units on the Kherson front are facing serious fuel shortages. These factors compound the overall picture of instability within the ranks.

The circumstances developing within the Russian military indicate profound systemic problems that could impact its effectiveness in the conflict. Document forgery and threats from commanders reveal a high level of discontent among personnel, which may lead to further destabilization. This erosion of morale among troops sustaining significant casualties could also create substantial risks for the execution of combat missions.