Edith Hejberg
Some soldiers are ignoring direct orders and walking off the front lines, seemingly unfazed by threats of punishment from above.
Ukrainian intelligence has picked up a revealing new Russian military conversation. Stationed in the Donetsk region,
Putin’s troops have reportedly failed to advance for days. Now, frustration is boiling over among commanders as soldiers begin to defy orders and retreat without permission.
“Where are they going?” commander lashes out over retreat
In one intercepted exchange, a Russian commander vents his anger after realizing troops have fallen back.
“Where are they going? I’ll remotely disable their radios,” he threatens. He accuses the soldiers of acting like deserters and adds, “Yesterday they couldn’t get into the open, and now this.”
Donetsk troops refuse to follow orders
Reports from Ukrainian outlet Obozrevatel suggest growing disobedience among Russian forces in Donetsk.
Some soldiers are ignoring direct orders and walking off the front lines, seemingly unfazed by threats of punishment from above.
Commanders threaten desertion charges
In an attempt to regain control, at least one commander warned troops that he would place them on a deserter list if they didn’t return to battle.
Ukrainian intelligence says the unit had been stuck for days, making no progress toward Ukrainian positions.
“One body on top of another” — grim conversation revealed
Among the intercepted chatter, one soldier described a horrific battlefield scene, saying, “One body on top of another.”
The chilling image adds to the sense of chaos and low morale gripping Russian units in the region.
Ukrainian officials offer lifeline to Russian soldiers
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense continues to promote its “I Want to Live” initiative, a Telegram channel offering guidance to Russian soldiers on how to safely surrender.
Officials stress that those who don’t want to die in an “unjust war” have a way out.
Prisoner’s phone call takes unexpected turn
One intercepted call involved a captured Russian soldier contacting his sister. While details of the conversation remain scarce,
Ukrainian media describe it as ending in a bizarre and unexpected way, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the conflict.
Russian advance in Donbas stalls
Despite months of fighting, Russian forces have failed to capture any major cities in the Donbas region.
The slow pace underscores how difficult the campaign has become for Moscow, and how resilient Ukrainian resistance remains.
Experts: Full occupation of Donbas still a distant goal
Military analysts agree that Russia is far from fully occupying Donbas. The current situation, marked by stalled progress and internal strife, has led experts to suggest any full takeover, if it happens at all, remains years away.
War study confirms heavy Russian losses
A report from the Institute for the Study of War supports Ukraine’s findings. It confirms that Russian troops have made only minor territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, while suffering substantial losses in both personnel and equipment.
Soldiers defy orders despite consequences
Ukrainian intelligence points to an alarming trend: Russian soldiers are increasingly choosing to ignore commands, risking court-martial or worse.
It highlights growing disillusionment within the ranks as the war drags on without clear results.
Commanders losing grip on front-line units
The intercepted communications also show Russian commanders struggling to maintain authority. Threats of punishment appear to carry little weight, suggesting morale has eroded to a dangerous level among frontline troops.
Fractures widen in Putin’s war effort
As intercepted messages paint a picture of chaos, disobedience, and low morale, Ukraine says the cracks are widening in Russia’s military campaign. With each failed push, the pressure mounts on Putin’s leadership and strategy in eastern Ukraine.
