Russian Soldiers Allegedly Shot Themselves for Payout

Russian state media once celebrated a paratroop officer nicknamed “Executioner” as a war hero. Now, Lt. Col. Konstantin Frolov faces allegations that he orchestrated a scheme in which more than 30 soldiers and medics allegedly shot themselves to collect wartime injury payouts—and funneled a portion of the money to commanders. Investigators say the operation cost the Defense Ministry roughly $2.6 million.

Frolov, who reportedly survived two serious and five minor battlefield injuries, earned four Orders of Courage and two medals for valor, according to Fox News. He has reached a plea-style agreement ahead of his military court sentencing on charges of fraud, bribery, and weapons violations, according to the New York Times.

Scheduled for sentencing next month, Frolov maintains that his shrapnel wounds were sustained in combat. In a detention interview, he admitted to skimming funds tied to injury payments but said it was done through falsified paperwork rather than self-inflicted injuries. He also acknowledged taking weapons as “souvenirs” but claimed he is being scapegoated for criticizing a former Ministry of Defense official, whom he accused of incompetence, and to pressure his father, a former Roscosmos official who faces corruption allegations.

The case, which involves Frolov’s elite 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade and former commander Artem Gorodilov—already associated with units accused of war crimes in Bucha—has fueled public outrage over corruption and profiteering within Russia’s military operations.

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