“Zeroing” Everyone: Large List of Russian Military Accused of Systematically Shooting Their Own Subordinates Released

Russian sources have published a list of hundreds of servicemen and officers allegedly involved in “zeroing” — killing their own subordinates for refusing orders.

The Russian news outlet Verstka published the list.

The authors say the information on two people in the database requires further verification. Not all entries in the database include full names or biographies; some are recorded only by call sign and lack photographs.

There are 101 individual records in total. The reporters describe “zeroing” as summary executions or sending servicemen to their deaths without trial or investigation; the list includes those accused of organizing on-the-spot shootings, ordering unsupported assaults, and using torture against subordinates.

For the entries included in the current version of the list, the authors say they have at least two independent confirmations.

Verstka collected material from other media reports, from servicemen and their relatives, and from appeals to the military prosecutor’s office.

Journalists also examined servicemen’s and relatives’ chat rooms.

According to the publication, Russian commanders use “zeroing” as punishment, a method of intimidation, or to settle personal disputes.

The report also describes so-called death matches among prisoners sent to field detention camps — known as “pits” — for disciplinary offenses.

Those who ask about pay or complain about service conditions can end up in such places. The article alleges that, to conceal the results of “zeroing,” bodies are sometimes shot and discarded at the front line.

The media claims it has established full details (name, age, rank, unit) for over 60 alleged perpetrators; almost all identified “zeroers” are commanders, with an average age of just over 40.

Criminal cases have been opened against several people named in the list.

Survivors and witnesses among Russian forces say they do not expect help from the judicial system and are considering taking revenge themselves.