Uncover what's happening in the territories under Russian occupation
WATCH TRAILER
Skip to content
Edit post

ISW: Russian forces low in equipment and morale

by Abbey Fenbert August 22, 2023 5:32 AM 2 min read
Kyiv residents walk along Khreschatyk Street near a display of Russian military equipment destroyed by the Ukrainian army on Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russian soldiers fighting on the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine face equipment shortages and low morale, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its Aug. 21 report.

According to Russian military bloggers, the lack of light transportation vehicles for some units in eastern Ukraine has caused tensions among the ranks. Soldiers cannot operate equipment effectively without proper transportation, and military leadership has resorted to seizing soldiers' privately-owned vehicles.

"Russian personnel feel that they are 'at war' with their commanders," the ISW said.

Another Russian blogger reported that units in Kherson need boats, but Russian authorities have not provided them.

Bloggers and soldiers alike have complained about artillery shortages. Vostok Battalion Commander Alexander Khodakovsky claimed that Russian front-line units lack adequate counterbattery resources due to artillery shortages and outdated D-20 howitzers.

"Ongoing complaints from Russian personnel suggest that the Russian Defense Ministry is unwilling or unable to address persistent equipment shortages and problems with low morale," the ISW said.

The ISW also pointed out that despite low morale, there is evidence that Russian forces have learned from past mistakes and are making certain improvements. Artillery units may be more acccurate and better able to strike targets.

According to the ISW, a slow response from Western allies is partly to blame.

"The protraction of the conflict resulting in part from delays in the provision of Western aid to Ukraine gives Russian forces time to improve and to learn from their mistakes," the ISW said.

Ukraine war latest: Greece to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s; Ukraine advances southeast of Robotyne
Key developments on Aug. 21: * Ukraine advances southeast of Robotyne and south of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast * Three square kilometers near Bakhmut liberated over the past week * Greece to take part in F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots * Ukraine’s Air Force says F16 jets can change…

News Feed

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.