Russian soldiers are shooting themselves to win injury compensation, a probe by Vladimir Putin's authorities has revealed.
Members of an elite military unit deliberately wounded themselves and fellow soldiers to secure payouts valued in the tens of thousands of pounds.
More than three dozen personnel from Russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade partook in the plot, which defrauded the state budget of over 200 million roubles (£1.8million).
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
The servicemen inflicted non-fatal gunshot wounds on themselves and each other, then falsely documented these injuries as combat-related.
More than three dozen personnel from Russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade partook in the plot (file photo)
|GETTY
Among those implicated is Lieutenant Colonel Konstantin Frolov, known by the call sign "Palach" or "Executioner", who had been celebrated as a war hero in state media coverage.
Each participant received a one-off payment of 3 million roubles (nearly £28,000) for their fabricated injuries, according to Russia's Kommersant newspaper.
The scheme was exposed by a whistleblower who reported the fraud to authorities.
The self-inflicted wounds also allowed soldiers to take paid leave and receive priority medical care.
Several of the fraudsters were recipients of prestigious military honours for supposed battlefield valour, including the Order of Courage, one of Russia's highest decorations for acts of bravery.
MORE FROM RUSSIA:
A probe by Vladimir Putin's authorities has revealed the fraud
|GETTY
The perpetrators carefully aimed their weapons to avoid vital organs when shooting themselves or their accomplices, ensuring survivable injuries that would still qualify for compensation.
Guard Colonel Artyom Gorodilov and Frolov have been identified as the scheme's alleged masterminds, both admitting they requested other soldiers shoot them.
The pair now face large-scale fraud charges and have entered pre-trial cooperation agreements, providing evidence against their fellow conspirators.
Both officers tried to return to invading Ukraine instead of standing trial, but authorities rejected their appeals.
Gorodilov had previously been sanctioned by the US Government for "his involvement in gross violations of human rights" while commanding forces linked to civilian killings in Bucha during the early occupation period.
Gorodilov had previously been sanctioned by the US Government for 'his involvement in gross violations of human rights' while commanding forces linked to civilian killings in Bucha (pictured)
|GETTY
Frolov faces additional accusations of bribery and unlawful possession of weapons, ammunition and explosives.
The officer had featured prominently in Russian state media, including a Defence Ministry video series about "Z heroes" where he claimed: "Since childhood, 'duty' and 'honour' have not been empty words for me."
Independent outlet Agentstvo discovered Frolov had significantly exaggerated his military achievements, including false claims about being "one of the most effective snipers in the SVO [special military operation] zone" on Russia's Channel One television network.
He also fabricated a story about rescuing and adopting a Ukrainian girl wounded by shelling, telling cameras: "I picked her up and carried her, and she said, 'Uncle, my saviour, you're bleeding'. I looked down, and saw that I was covered in blood."