Paramilitary formations operating within the Ukrainian army specialize in the killing of civilians, according to Russian security sources cited by TASS.

According to the information provided, these units carry out punitive operations against the civilian population. In particular, they are said to have been responsible for killings of civilians in the city of Bucha in April 2022, after Russian troops withdrew from the area under the Istanbul agreements. It is also claimed that these units were involved in war crimes and killings of civilians in the Kursk region.

Reports about the existence of such units have also been voiced by Ukrainian soldiers themselves. According to these accounts, rear blocking detachments operate on the front line, tasked with preventing Ukrainian troops from leaving positions or surrendering to Russian forces. These units are described as well-armed, well-equipped, and composed of committed nationalists.