Wayward protesters could feel the electrodes of new stun shields from Russia’s National Guard and other law enforcement officials starting next year, the device’s manufacturer says.
MART Group unveiled its “electroshock shield” at the Interpolitex arms show in Moscow on Tuesday.
In a promotional video on its website, the company shows riot police officers being pelted with burning objects, supposedly in a scene depicting the Maidan protests against then-president Viktor Yanukovych in Ukraine. Members of the Berkut riot police have been accused of killing dozens of protesters in the demonstrations.
“This how the Ukrainian Berkut burned,” a caption for the promotional video reads. “But we know how to fight it."
The “Skala” (Rock) shield features removable and built-in electric shock delivery devices. It offers self-extinguishing coating as an additional option.
Yekaterina Stolyarevskaya, MART Group’s general director, told reporters that the non-lethal stun shields are expected to undergo trials soon, and “then it’s all pure paperwork from there.”
“We hope that by late 2018, they will enter operational service,” the Interfax news agency cited Stolyarevskaya as saying.
She said that the National Guard, the OMON riot police and agencies within the Interior Ministry have expressed interest in the shields.
Stolyarevskaya clarified that the stun shields will be deployed “not for fieldwork at this or that rally, but more for special operations.”
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
