Russia Accused Of Sending 'Suicide Squads' With GPS Trackers Into Ukraine

Russia has been accused of sending 'suicide squad' type teams into Ukraine to find and destroy military bases. You can see Russian snipers training in the snow below, which some fear could suggest plans to invade Ukraine in the coming months:

Reports suggest that Russian fighters have taken Ukrainian troops to a secret location where they've been interrogated, which was then bombed.

Apparently, GPS trackers have been discovered which located with pinpoint accuracy the area where they were, allowing the base to be located by separatist forces.

“Separatist forces had been trying to find our secret base so they could launch a mortar attack. When we found the bugs, we moved them quickly and our base came under massive attack.

“We don’t know why they were carrying the bugs but they led the mortar teams to where we were.

"It is possible they were not aware they were carrying the tracker devices and their own comrades were prepared to sacrifice them. It’s shocking."

This has emerged as videos were shared of Russian snipers and army intelligence officers staging war games in the snow.

Reconnaissance troops are seen in action on snow vehicles rehearsing combat against a simulated enemy in extreme conditions below -10C.

The Arctic training in Murmansk region involved 'destroying' foes with Kalashnikov rifles and Makarov pistols owned by the Russian defence ministry. 

A defence spokesperson said: "Particular attention is paid to training military personnel for operations in low temperatures, deep snow cover, strong winds and polar nights."

Shooting from snowmobiles is a compulsory part of combat training, said Sergei Kondratyev, commander of the motorised rifle brigade of the Russian Northern Fleet.

Speaking to Zvezda TV, he said: "Winter is such a difficult time of the year, especially if you are driving over unfamiliar terrain - you do not know what can be under snow."

He went on to add: "Motorised riflemen instantly dismount and repulse the enemy. Operating under heavy fire, the unit still manages to get close to the ambush site. 

“The ‘saboteurs’ are first surrounded, the disarmed - and destroyed. Practical shooting drills are held in the brigade at least once a week, but mobile crews operate daily.”