Oryol Oblast: News

News Feed

Long-awaited military reform falls short as troops express continued frustration

Editor's note: Some military personnel are identified by their first names only due to security considerations. More than four years into the full-scale invasion, the first phase of the Defense Ministry's military reform was meant to deliver long-awaited changes. Instead, it has triggered a fresh wave of frustration among soldiers. Defining clear terms of military service has been one of the most contentious unresolved issues of the war — one that three defense ministers failed to tackle, and

military training at the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade in an undisclosed location, Ukraine, on April 5, 2026.

About Oryol Oblast

Oryol Oblast is a federal subject of Russia, approximately 360 kilometers (224 miles) south of Moscow. Oryol Oblast covers 24,700 square kilometers (9,500 square miles) and has a population of around 730,000. Its administrative center is Oryol city. Ukrainian forces have conducted drone strikes on fuel depots and military facilities in Oryol Oblast since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Read more

News Feed