Russian military has to deal with ‘low morale, infighting and equipment shortages’ ‘all over the front’ | The war in Ukraine and Russia

For example, there is a shortage of light transport vehicles, especially in eastern Ukraine, as a result of which materials cannot be deployed properly and forces cannot operate efficiently. Which is not good for morale.

One blogger says that Russian soldiers have to register their private vehicles with the Ministry of Defense, after which they disappear or are transferred elsewhere. “Russian commanders regularly punish military personnel who fail to surrender their vehicles due to minor administrative infractions, and Russian soldiers feel like they are at war with their commanders,” the Institute for War Watch said.

On the other hand, the Russian forces in the Kherson region needed boats, but they too were left to fend for themselves. Then there is the lack of artillery systems needed to fend off attacks from Ukraine. The Russians have to fight with the D-20s: hand-held howitzers that have to be towed and were manufactured in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It also becomes less accurate with repeated use.

However, according to military bloggers, there is also good news for the Russians. Artillery units are doing much better than they were a year ago, perhaps because mobilized soldiers (without experience) have learned from their mistakes and can therefore strike more accurately. Something that will only be exacerbated by the protracted conflict, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

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However, there is no immediate solution to the material shortage. “The persistent complaints of Russian soldiers indicate that the Ministry of Defense is either unwilling or unable to address equipment shortages and low morale,” the institute said.