Mutinies against Vladimir Putin’s war are spreading as up to 2,500 mobilised Russian men faced down a "drunk" general in a protest over their training camp conditions and rusty weapons.
Disgruntled draftees are bravely challenging the authorities by staging the rallies in Kazan, Ulyanovsk and the annexed Luhansk region.
In a new video shared online last night, riot police arrive at a demonstration in Kazan, where the approximate 2,500 soldiers had gathered to confront their general.
Writing in social media posts, one soldier said: "The general was kicked out of here - the brute arrived drunk and [making complaints about our behaviour].
“We have rusty machine guns from the 1970s that are not [tested], it is dangerous to shoot with them.”
Visits by family to the training camp are “banned”.
“The equipment for 2,500 people is two Ural [trucks].
“There is no water to shower, and the meals [are not regular].”
Trainers who have been to the front told the men they face death at the front.
“They say that with such training and weapons, you have no chance to come back,” said a bleak post.
The Ukrainians they face “are mostly NATO-trained fighters”.
Another post gave a different number for the troops in revolt, saying: "Mutiny.
“The whole [military] unit is telling the general to f*** off.
“1,800 people.”
He complained of “no washing machines, no baths, we all walk around like pigs and they don't let us have any leave - if you have friends in the media, spread the word.
“The general is drunk.”
They were told Putin’s regional boss, Rustam Minnikhanov, head of Tatarstan, was due to come and negotiate with the men but failed to arrive.
“It was simply the last drop [of patience] for everyone,” posted another source.
“Complete s*** is happening here.
“Now OMON [riot police] has arrived.
“They disembarked and are standing there smoking.
“The treatment of the mobilised is such that there is nowhere to wash, or even see families for an hour….
“The men have had enough, and [started protesting].”
A day earlier it was revealed that 39 men had walked off the frontline in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Luhansk region and demanded to go back to Russia.
The mutineers from the 252nd motorised rifle regiment are seen in a video.
They were left alone at the front, abandoned by their commanders.
“For several days they hid from shelling, some were seriously wounded, others were killed,” said a relative of the men.
“Our men ran out of provisions and water, there was no ammunition.
“They ate what they could find, and drank from a puddle.
“Nothing was brought to them, they were simply sent to their deaths.
Separately, enlisted troops from the Chuvashia republic refused to leave their training base for the front because they claimed they were cheated by Russian officials over payments.
Riot police were called to a barracks in Ulyanovsk to quell the uprising.
“It’s clear - we were f***ing fooled,” said a mutineer.
The protest culminated in almost 2,000 disgruntled draftees demanding to be allowed home for the weekend with their families.
The rebellious men were reportedly granted their wish to diffuse the ugly standoff.
A panicking Putin signed a decree to make one-time payments of 195,000 roubles [£2,800] to contract soldiers and the 318,000 he has enlisted.
But the move appeared intended to head off more mutinies.
