The Russian armed forces are chronically underfunded

Chief military prosecutor Alexander Savenkov said at least 60 of those were "driven to suicide" because of bullying by their superiors.

He also said 420 servicemen have died in non-combat situations this year.

Correspondents say morale in the Russian military is low and corruption among the senior staff is widespread.

"We can safely say that 60 people were driven to suicide," Mr Savenkov told reporters in Moscow.

He said criminal investigations were under way to punish those responsible.

HAVE YOUR SAY There was a practice at our detachment: a soldier who had done something wrong or was just disliked would have guard dogs trained at him Ruru, Russia Send us your comments

The prosecutor said that others may have committed suicide for personal reasons, such as trouble with their families or with a girlfriend.

Mr Savenkov also said embezzlement was another growing problem in the army.

According to official military figures, more than 7,000 soldiers were convicted of various crimes last year.

The Russian armed forces are now a shadow of their former might during Soviet times, correspondents say.

They say that for most of the last decade Russian troops have been bogged down in operations in the breakaway region of Chechnya and lack of funding has hampered the pace of reform.