A Russian soldier has been filmed being humiliated after allegedly deserting his post, forced to wear a dress in front of fellow servicemen and reportedly threatened with being sent into a so-called "meat-grinder" assault as further punishment. The incident highlights the brutal disciplinary culture within Russia's military, where commanders have increasingly resorted to public humiliation and threats of deployment to the most dangerous front-line positions to deter desertion amid heavy losses in the war in Ukraine.

Footage of the episode circulated showing the soldier dressed in women's clothing while being berated by superiors, with warnings that he would be sent to the front line's most perilous "meat-grinder" assaults, a term used to describe the costly infantry offensives that have characterised Russia's war effort. Such punishments reflect broader reports of harsh treatment meted out to Russian troops accused of abandoning their positions, as Moscow continues to grapple with manpower shortages and discipline problems within its ranks.