The morale of the Russian army in Ukraine is low. According to the British government, Russia probably has units to prevent its own soldiers from retreating and deserting. These units threatened to shoot retreating men to force offensives.
Due to “low morale and unwillingness to fight,” Russian forces may have begun deploying “barrier troops” or “blocking units,” according to the Defense Ministry in London. As early as mid-October, an intercepted phone call indicated that shooting at fleeing soldiers was part of the strategy. Such an approach is also known from previous conflicts.
Russian generals are likely looking to hold positions to the death, the ministry said. “The tactics of shooting deserters are likely evidence of the poor quality, low morale and ill-discipline of the Russian armed forces,” the review said.
The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The government wants to counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.
Is Russia Withdrawing From Kherson?
Meanwhile, Russia continues to withdraw some troops from the northwest of the Kherson region. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), it is still unclear whether Russian troops intend to withdraw from the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine or defend it against the approaching forces of Kiev. In recent weeks, Ukraine has gradually gained a foothold in the Kherson region. According to Ukrainian sources, 100 towns and villages have been recaptured en route to the region’s capital.
On Thursday, the Russian flag was removed from the city’s main building, which could be interpreted as a sign of surrender. Military experts are skeptical: Russia would set a trap to fake a withdrawal, but at the same time allow new reinforcements. At the end of October, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia still had some 40,000 troops stationed west of the Dnipro.
Heavy shelling in Mykolaiv
Mykolayiv, the region bordering Kherson, came under fire on Friday night. Russian long-range missiles damaged warehouses, administrative and residential buildings, Ukrainian media reported. There were no casualties. The Ukrainian military had previously reported violent Russian attacks in some regions.
“The enemy has tripled the intensity of fighting on individual front sectors – up to 80 attacks per day,” the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valeriy Zalushnyi, said on Thursday. During a telephone conversation with NATO Commander-in-Chief Christopher Cavoli, he explained that he was discussing the situation at the front. “The situation is tense, but under control,” Zalushnyj said. The Ukrainian army maintains the defenses “by courage and skill”.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
