Three years of reporting, funded by our readers — become a member now and help us prepare for 2025.
Goal: 1,000 new members for our birthday. Gift a membership to your friend and help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Become a member Gift membership
Skip to content
Edit post

ISW: Russian border guards complain of equipment shortages

by Abbey Fenbert September 12, 2023 5:05 AM 2 min read
A Ukrainian border guard looks through binoculars on his position at the border with Russia in Kharkiv Oblast on July 5, 2023. (Photo by Sergey Bobok / AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russian border guards are underequipped and anxious about the possibility of Ukrainian cross-border raids, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its Sept. 11 report.

The ISW wrote that a Russian war commentator and member of the Kremlin's human rights council shared complaints from border guards that authorities left them ill-prepared at their posts.

According to the report, guards "from almost all border service departments" shared these complaints, and lacked "sufficient digital communications systems, reconnaissance and strike drones, mobile transport, and medical supplies."

The guards' complaints echo those of occupying Russian troops in Ukraine, who have decried chronic equipment shortages at the front.

The commentator cited in the ISW's analysis alleged that border guards could only receive necessary weapons and supplies through "personal connections with Russian military units."

The ISW said that these complaints point to fears "about the threat of possible Ukrainian cross-border raids into Russia and Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory."

Drone strikes in Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts, Russian regions that border Ukraine, have been on the rise in recent weeks.

On Aug. 22, the U.K. Defense Ministry said that some drone strikes on Russian targets were likely launched from within Russian territory.

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine regains control of drilling rigs in Black Sea
Key developments on Sept. 11: * Military intelligence: Ukraine regains control of drilling rigs in Black Sea * Defense Ministry: Ukraine retakes nearly 5 square kilometers on southern front over past week * UK Defense Ministry: Russia wants to recruit 420,000 contract soldiers in 2023 * Rheinme…
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. Thanks to our community we've been able to keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone. For our third birthday, we're looking for 1,000 new members to help fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Three years. Millions of readers. All thanks to 12,000 supporters.
It’s thanks to readers like you that we can celebrate another birthday this November. We’re looking for another 1,000 members to help fund our mission, keep our journalism accessible for all, and prepare for whatever 2025 might bring. Consider gifting a membership today or help us spread the word.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Become a member Gift membership
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

7:59 PM

Muslim who fled Russia on his new life in Ukraine.

Ali Charinskiy is an activist and professional martial artist from the Republic of Dagestan who advocated for the rights of Muslims. The Kyiv Independent spent a day with Charinskiy in his new home, a southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.