Punishments In Russian Army

These hilarious pictures show what happens to you in the Russian army when you make a mistake. Forgot your rifle? Maybe carrying around a huge wooden rifle will help you remember next time! However, while these photos show the lighter side of hazing, the reality is often much more grim.

Dedovshchina is Russian for the unofficial practice of initiation or hazing of junior conscripts of the Soviet Armed Forces. It can be literally translated as “rule of the grandfathers.” In 2006, the NYT reported that at least 292 Russian soldiers were killed by hazing; the Russian military admits that 16 were murdered, and claims that the rest committed suicide.

(h/t: weirdrussia)