I don’t know if this story true or not but I do know these sort of tactics do not work. One of the ways to “win” a war is to break the enemies will to fight. The Russians are doing the Ukraine’s job (if true)
If you need threats and punishment to get your men to fight, you have lost.
There are many reason men will put their life on the line and run towards the sound of battle but if they ever get to the point when they believe the cause is not worth the sacrifice they will rebel.
(As a former Infantryman with a CIB I know what it takes to run towards the sound of battle. )
“If you need threats and punishment to get your men to fight, you have lost.”
Generally, that’s true.