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The Rock is deeply suffused with the lingo and practices of post-[[soviet]] prisons. Special armed men accompany newly mobilized men at the training bases. These armed men are called ''‘vertukhai’'', meaning ‘jailers’ in post-soviet prison slang. Below is an artistic depiction of a ''vertukhai''.

The Rock is deeply suffused with the lingo and practices of post-[[soviet]] prisons. Special armed men accompany newly mobilized men at the training bases. These armed men are called ''‘vertukhai’'', meaning ‘jailers’ in post-soviet prison slang. Below is an artistic depiction of a ''vertukhai''.

 

{{Cquote|Your priceless first experience of going to the toilet: moving in groups under the barrels of assault rifles, accompanied by ‘refined’ insults and rough kicks for not standing in a straight enough formation or not looking the way they wanted. Endless squats, planks, and the ‘one-and-a-half’ position—}}

"Your priceless first experience of going to the toilet: moving in groups under the barrels of assault rifles, accompanied by ‘refined’ insults and rough kicks for not standing in a straight enough formation or not looking the way they wanted. Endless squats, planks, and the ‘one-and-a-half’ position—

 

“One-and-a-half,” according to the soldier, is something like a standing wall sit: thighs parallel to the ground, arms stretched forward.

“One-and-a-half,” according to the soldier, is something like a standing wall sit: thighs parallel to the ground, arms stretched forward.

 

{{cquote|—so that you ‘understand where you’ve ended up,’ don’t waste time, and get ready for your future ‘mission.’ To the toilet, to the dining hall—everywhere under armed escort. Like prisoners of war.}}

—so that you ‘understand where you’ve ended up,’ don’t waste time, and get ready for your future ‘mission.’ To the toilet, to the dining hall—everywhere under armed escort. Like prisoners of war”

 

According to another interviewed soldier, new recruits are sorted upon arrival, Auschwitz-style:

According to another interviewed soldier, new recruits are sorted upon arrival, Auschwitz-style:

 

{{Cquote|The [[drug addict]]s go one way because they’re behaving erratically, some of them are already feeling sick. If they behave badly, they’re beaten severely. The calmer ones just wait their turn.}}

“The [[drug addict]]s go one way because they’re behaving erratically, some of them are already feeling sick. If they behave badly, they’re beaten severely. The calmer ones just wait their turn”

 

Naturally, the withdrawals often begin already in the chicken coop. Insomnia, omnipresent pain, nausea, diarrhea, suicidal ideation. Only a minority receive IV drips, which somewhat mitigates symptoms. Those hallucinating are isolated.

Naturally, the withdrawals often begin already in the chicken coop. Insomnia, omnipresent pain, nausea, diarrhea, suicidal ideation. Only a minority receive IV drips, which somewhat mitigates symptoms. Those hallucinating are isolated.

The soldier also recalls not being allowed to go to the [[toilet]]. Only a bottle in the cell for urination was available. At one point, his hallucinating cellmates stripped naked and began jumping around while pouring water over themselves. Once the water ran out, they turned to the urine. The minority of prisoners not addicted to [[drug]]s managed to beat them into submission.

The soldier also recalls not being allowed to go to the [[toilet]]. Only a bottle in the cell for urination was available. At one point, his hallucinating cellmates stripped naked and began jumping around while pouring water over themselves. Once the water ran out, they turned to the urine. The minority of prisoners not addicted to [[drug]]s managed to beat them into submission.

 

{{Cquote|One of them later started freezing, but he refused to put his [[clothes]] back on and refused to [[eat]]. I remember he crawled under a blanket and, right there under it, defecated on himself. There was masturbation too.}}

“One of them later started freezing, but he refused to put his [[clothes]] back on and refused to [[eat]]. I remember he crawled under a blanket and, right there under it, defecated on himself. There was masturbation too”

 

After this ordeal, the soldiers and a few others were gathered for training. While travelling, several soldiers in a nearby minibus smashed a window and tried to escape. They were beaten by commanders in front of all the other recruits.

After this ordeal, the soldiers and a few others were gathered for training. While travelling, several soldiers in a nearby minibus smashed a window and tried to escape. They were beaten by commanders in front of all the other recruits.