Kathrine Frich
This is not an isolated event.
This is not an isolated event.
Russian Army in Crisis as Troops Turn on Commanders
Reports from Ukraine’s eastern front suggest a growing breakdown in the Russian military, with soldiers now rebelling against their own officers.
Amid skyrocketing casualties and relentless pressure from Ukrainian forces, Russian units are reportedly refusing orders, killing their commanders, and surrendering en masse.
Commander Shot After Troops Refuse Suicidal Orders
The most recent incident reportedly occurred near Bakhmut, where Russian soldiers refused to launch a high-risk assault.
Instead of following orders, the troops allegedly shot and killed their platoon commander, then surrendered to Ukrainian forces.
The act reflects what observers say is an increasingly desperate and fractured Russian army.
“Morale Is Abysmal,” Says U.S. Analyst
Former U.S. Navy SEAL and war analyst Chuck Pfarrer commented on the reports, stating, “Russian morale is abysmal.”
The assessment echoes growing evidence that Russian troops are being pushed beyond their limits with little regard for survival or success.
A Pattern of Mutiny on the Front Lines
Last month, another Russian unit operating on the Kupyansk front reportedly killed senior officers and fled.
The Russian military police launched a full-scale manhunt in response. Such incidents suggest a wider trend of mutiny and disintegration within frontline units.
Over One Million Russian Casualties
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian losses are estimated to have surpassed one million, including both dead and wounded.
The scale of these casualties, compounded by poor leadership and minimal support, has left soldiers feeling expendable and angry.
Fighting Intensifies Around Kupyansk and Vovchansk
Meanwhile, Russian forces have captured the village of Milove and nearby wooded areas, pushing toward the key town of Velykyi Burluk.
Control of this area would provide staging grounds for assaults on Vovchansk and Kupyansk, both crucial logistical hubs for Ukrainian defense.
