Kremlin to Review Viral Video Alleging Army Abuses

The Russian government stated on Friday that it would review a viral video appeal addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin by a Russian military veteran, who accused Russian commanders in Ukraine of torturing and murdering soldiers for failing to fulfil orders, Reuters and NEXTA reported.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that authorities were aware of the video, which was posted on Instagram and has reportedly garnered over 12 million views within 24 hours. Peskov noted that the Kremlin had not yet formally reviewed the appeal but remarked that it appeared to contain “strange wording.”

The video was posted by Alexander Lunin, a veteran from Russia’s Voronezh region. In the recording, Lunin appeared in combat fatigues and alleged that thousands of Russian soldiers in Ukraine were being detained in pits and subjected to torture for refusing to execute what he described as “stupid or suicidal orders” or for refusing to surrender money to their commanders.

Lunin further claimed that Rcommanders were covering up the deaths of murdered soldiers by officially listing them as missing in action. The video did not provide specific evidence or name alleged victims or perpetrators.

In his appeal, Lunin warned that if he was not granted a live televised audience with the Russian president, the military would turn its weapons against the Kremlin.

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“You know, we were indeed told that such an appeal exists, but we haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, so I wouldn’t want to comment on it,” Peskov told reporters during a conference call. “But judging by what you’ve said, it contains some rather strange wording, so we need to look at it first.”

Decline in military recruitment

The release of the video coincides with reports indicating growing manpower constraints within the Russian military. According to the independent Russian outlet Verstka, the number of Russians signing military contracts has declined sharply nationwide, despite substantial increases in financial incentives.

Citing sources within regional administrations and military recruitment offices, Verstka reported that recruitment in Moscow fell by approximately one third this spring compared to the same period in 2025. In April and May, Moscow reportedly sent about 1,000 fewer recruits to the front lines than during the corresponding months the previous year.

The decline has been observed across multiple regions. Independent estimates by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs suggest that between 800 and 1,000 people signed military contracts daily during the first quarter of 2026, representing a roughly 20% decrease from the previous year.

To counter the shortfall, regional authorities have significantly increased recruitment bonuses. According to calculations cited by Verstka, monthly regional spending on recruiter bonuses more than doubled in 2026, rising from 358 million rubles ($4.7 million) to 802 million rubles ($10.7 million). Furthermore, recruitment campaigns are reportedly expanding their focus to older applicants, foreign nationals, and individuals with criminal records, with authorities increasingly offering military contracts to detainees in exchange for reduced legal penalties.

Military personnel reported operational difficulties resulting from these shortages, stating that some units are operating well below their authorized strength and that newly recruited personnel frequently lack adequate training.

Discussions regarding potential measures to address the manpower deficit are reportedly ongoing within Russian government and military circles. Options under consideration include the rotation of reservists and a potential new mobilization campaign following Russia’s parliamentary elections in September.