Russia recruits convicts with combat experience to new Storm Gladiator unit

This was reported by the National Resistance Center.

"According to available information, a new special assault unit Storm Gladiator has been formed in Russia from prisoners recruited for the war against Ukraine. It is noted that this is a privileged semi-secret battalion consisting of several hundred convicts with combat experience, and is called 'gladiators' in honour of the former general of the 58th Army with the call sign 'Spartak'," the report says. 

It is stated that a former police officer who was imprisoned for a brutal murder was appointed to command the battalion. The unit is recruiting people with a high level of physical fitness, experience in law enforcement agencies and who have participated in hostilities. 

According to the National Resistance Center, they are trained by Wagner soldiers and Kadyrov fighters from the Akhmat unit, which is part of the Russian Guard.

• Earlier, British intelligence reported that soldiers of the Russian Storm Z units receive minimal or no medical care in case of injury. However, Russia plans to return soldiers to the front even after amputations.