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One of Russia’s most decorated battlefield heroes was unmasked as the alleged mastermind of a brazen fraud scheme in which elite soldiers allegedly shot themselves – and even their own commander – to collect lucrative combat injury payouts, according to local reports.

Investigators allege that Lt. Col. Konstantin Frolov – nicknamed "the Executioner" for his sniper skills – not only fabricated his heroic acts but also helped his troops siphon nearly $2.5 million in a sweeping military fraud scheme, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant .

The outlet said a former brigade commander, Artem Gorodilov, was also implicated in the case.

At least 35 officers in Russia’s elite unit, the prestigious 83rd Separate Guards

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