Heavy casualties and combat fatigue appear to be just one problem: According to the British MoD, Russian soldiers are not being granted "basic entitlements" - including proper uniforms, weapons, food and pay. All of this has serious consequences.
The Russian armed forces appear to be suffering from morale and discipline problems in Ukraine. This reports the British Ministry of Defense, citing intelligence reports. "In addition to combat fatigue and high casualties, problems with pay are probably still one of the main criticisms of Russian soldiers in the field."
In the Russian military, soldiers' income consists of a modest basic salary, which is supplemented by a variety of bonuses and allowances. "Several problems have most likely arisen in Ukraine from the failure to pay significant combat bounties. This is likely due to an inefficient military bureaucracy, the unusual legal status of 'military special operations,' and at least in part open corruption among commanders," it said further.
The Russian military has consistently failed to provide troops stationed in Ukraine with basic entitlements, including appropriate uniforms, weapons, food and pay. "This has almost certainly contributed to the continued low morale of most of the troops."
The British report coincides with the descriptions recently published by a Russian paratrooper. According to his own statements, Pavel Filatev was sent to the Crimea and confronted there with "complete anarchy and a lack of combat readiness in a strategically important area". Filatev criticized the lack of equipment and uniforms in his unit. He wrote in his report that he had to buy suitable shoes and uniform parts himself.
Forty of the paratroopers lived in a tent, according to Filateev. Some would not have had a sleeping bag, camouflage suit, armor or helmet. There were no showers, the men washed themselves in the sea in February. Following a complaint to the Defense Ministry, his commanders had instituted a case against him, accusing him of regular disorderly conduct.
