The stories of Babel show violence in a matter of fact way. While it is shocking to the reader who is scandalized by such actions.  The violent actions are very sudden.  It is just a fact of life in the stories about the Red army.  There is a portrayal of this in the killing of horses: "The stench of yesterday's blood and slaughtered horses drips into the evening chill."  This shows the simple fact of life violence is.  Violence is simply part of the culture of Russia in this time period.  Russia is portrayed as brutal during this time.