On July 10, 2025, Ukraine's Defence Intelligence intercepted a chilling order from a russian field commander in the 155th Separate Marine Brigade of russia's Pacific Fleet, instructing the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

"Cut off their heads, impale them on stakes, throw them the f**k out." - screamed the leader of the 2nd Assault Company of the brigade's airborne assault battalion.

This elite kremlin-backed brigade currently operates in the Sumy region, but its notoriety began far earlier. The 155th is infamous for war crimes committed during russia's occupation of the Kyiv region, and elsewhere on the front lines.

Throughout russia's genocidal war against Ukraine, the brigade has suffered repeated heavy losses, prompting constant replenishment with freshly mobilized recruits.

Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces have targeted this unit's command posts several times. Most recently, on July 2, 2025, a precision strike in the Kursk region eliminated the unit's commander, Colonel sergei ilyin.

For its gruesome reputation, the 155th has become a kremlin favorite. Its flag was even displayed at vladimir putin's end-of-year press conference in December 2024 as a symbol of pride.

Torture and executions committed by the so-called "elite" unit are further evidence that war crimes are not random — they are a systematic and state-approved policy of the russian federation.

That is why the 155th Marine Brigade must be designated a priority target on the battlefield.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reminds the world that there will be just retribution for every crime committed against the Ukrainian people.