comment: >
  
  -_- ok yeah
context: They probably use the prisoners as lures to locate Ukrainian positions. >
  
  They are sent toward Ukrainian lines to find weaknesses. If they reach a certain point the commanders know that that spot is weaker. If they all die they know it’s heavily defended. >
  
  It’s like the days of forlorn hope vanguards. 
  You’d think in a day of armoured vehicles and drones there’d be a less horrifying way to locate enemy positions. >
  
  The difference between forlorn hope vanguards and Russian cannon fodder scouts is that the formers were the best soldiers who are well paid for the dangers they put themselves in, whereas the latter are just some expendable Vlads and Ivans.
  Pretty sad really >
  
  Yep, the idea of joining the "forlorn hope"-squad was that you'd scale the walls first in sieges but you would also get the first spoils of looting once the city was captured aside from getting paid higher daily wages than regular mercenaries and infantry. >
  
  In the French military it also guaranteed you a promotion if you survived, regardless of if the objective was actually achieved. >
  
  Honestly that sounds like a sweet deal >
  
  The casualty rate was… not exactly low. It was basically a suicide mission. But yes, it was seen as a great deal and junior officers with ambitions and no connections literally fought each other for the opportunity. >
  
  Either you come back alive with glory and money or it's not your problem anymore. >
  
  Wouldn't that give the other inmate soldiers more initiative to revolt as soon as they get a gun in their hands? >
  
  Who said they were giving them guns. >
  
  “You wear clicky vest and run into building komrad” >
  
  “Okay, so I run in there, bomb blows up, I come back for Party and Vodka, yes?”