Russian troops ordered to ditch stolen electronics amidst spying fears
Russian commanders are forbidding their soldiers from using stolen equipment, writes the Ukrainian National Resistance Center. The order details all kinds of electronics, including mobile phones and tablets. Russians are afraid of being surveilled by Ukrainians.
The Ukrainian National Resistance Center reports on the new orders in the Russian military. According to their information, the decrees forbid soldiers from using equipment, especially electronics, that they steal from the local populace or take from captured Ukrainian trenches.
The Ukrainian National Resistance Center claims the reason is fear of surveillance by the Ukrainian side. During the war, there have been several cases of identifying Russian war criminals or locating military positions precisely because Russians used stolen equipment.
One example is the story of 20-year-old Russian soldier Daniil Frolkin. He was identified thanks to a selfie he left on a phone stolen in Ukraine. During an investigation by the portal slidstvo.info, Frolkin was recognized by one of the village residents where he committed crimes.
Russians steal on a massive scale. Loot is sold at local markets
The Ukrainian National Resistance Center points out that despite fears, commanders do not forbid soldiers from looting. Russians steal not only valuable electronic equipment but also everyday household appliances.
The vast majority of stolen equipment is later sold by Russians at local markets.
