UK intel: Russian elite get special unit away from frontline

A special unit away from the front has been set up for the Moscow "elite", where they can safely demonstrate their loyalty to the Kremlin.

“The husband of prominent Russian influencer Yelena Blinovskaya has joined the Russian Armed Forces military campaign in Ukraine in an effort to stop Blinovskaya going to prison on tax evasion charges. On 16 April 2024, Blinovskaya's husband, Alexei Blinovsky, was pictured serving in a specially created military unit of the Russian Armed Forces, known as the Bars Kaskad, near Ukraine,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the UK Defence Intelligence update on situation in Ukraine.

“This unit was reportedly set up by Russian State Duma Defence deputy chairman, Dimitry Sablin. The unit is predominantly involved in Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle operations normally away from the frontline. It has been active since October 2022 and has had at least 10 United Russia Party members, and sons of Kremlin VIPs enlist. Enlisted VIPs are reportedly given a protection detail,” the intel report says.

“Enlistment with Bars Kaskad likely allows Russian elite figures to sidestep statutory Russian military service requirements with guaranteed safety and potentially curry favour with the Kremlin. Blinovsky's case is the first recorded time where an individual has joined the unit to help a family member to avoid prison,” the report adds.