1/ Russian female convicts may soon be serving on the front lines in Ukraine, according to Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. He has suggested that they could serve in sabotage units and as snipers, replicating their roles in World War II. ⬇️

1/ Glaring contrasts between the living conditions enjoyed by Ruslan Kadyrov's Chechen troops – who reportedly live in hotels – and the terrible conditions of ordinary Russian soldiers appear to be causing discontent in the Russian army, according to a story published by SOTA. ⬇️

1/ A Zambian student was recruited from a Russian prison to serve in the Wagner mercenary group and died "a hero" after storming Ukrainian trenches, according to Wagner head Yevgeny Progzhin. ⬇️

1/ The Russian interior ministry has reported a huge increase in gun crime in Russia in the last ten months, which is being blamed on large amounts of weapons and ammunition being stolen from the Russian military operation in Ukraine and smuggled back into Russia. ⬇️

1/ Mobilised Russians in Sverdlovsk region are suffering from a mass outbreak of infectious disease, but doctors are unable to treat them due to a lack of equipment and medicine. This is likely the result of overcrowded, insanitary conditions at their training area. ⬇️

1/ This is the first published photo of Russian soldiers being held captive by the Russian army in a basement in the village of Zavitne Bazhannya. It reportedly shows 20 men being confined in a 5 m x 3 m space, with no toilet, no water, and food being provided only once a day. ⬇️

1/ At least 27 people have been killed in Russia itself (plus Crimea) by Ukrainian attacks, according to the We Can Explain Telegram channel. This excludes a number of accidental landmine deaths. It highlights the extent to which the war is affecting Russia's border regions. ⬇️