Russian soldiers' phones nailed to trees in wartime regulation crackdown
Astra, an independent channel on Telegram, published astounding photos and a video showing installations in a forest and a military camp that are difficult to interpret. The post explains that these are cellphones taken from Russian soldiers fighting on the front in Ukraine. Their nailing to a tree or wooden board is mandated by new regulations from Russian commanders.
6 August 2024 16:06
The Astra channel on Telegram showcased unusual constructions in the forest. Independent journalists revealed a certain practice on the front lines. They claim that Russian commanders have started confiscating and destroying the cellphones of their subordinates fighting in the war.
According to Astra, this is a consequence of new regulations being introduced. The State Duma recently authorized the imposition of penalties for soldiers fighting in Ukraine for using phones.
Phones nailed down: New Russian law for soldiers at the front
Astra highlights that where and when someone encountered and documented such constructions with nailed-down phones is unknown. However, it is certain that these images may be related to the adoption of the "disciplinary arrest" law for the Russian military.
Under the new law in Russia, commanders can now send military personnel to detention for disciplinary breaches. Previously, such punishment formally required a military court's decision, although in practice, soldiers endure various disciplinary sanctions arbitrarily imposed by their superiors.
Now lawmakers have added another regulation point and designated a penalty. "Disciplinary arrest" could now be the consequence for a soldier using mobile communication, posting information about themselves or their service location, sharing geolocation data, or talking to journalists.
The regulation, established by the lower house of the Russian Federation's parliament in July, pertains to military personnel participating in the operation in Ukraine. Now, one can be sent to a cell without a military court's decision.
The law was even criticized by pro-war bloggers. They commented that it is almost equivalent to a ban on using the phone in any situation. After a wave of comments, the head of the defence committee in the State Duma, Andrei Kartapolov, announced that the law "will be refined".
Phones nailed to trees can, however, be a sign. Maybe commanders themselves confiscate the mobile devices from their subordinates out of fear of being tracked by Ukrainian soldiers.
