The UK Defense Intelligence: Russian Ill-Prepared Soldiers Facing Harsh Conditions and Administrative Shortcomings

Open-source evidence suggests a generally very poor level on enforcement of basic field administration amongst russian forces

As winter approaches, eyewitness accounts from deployed russian troops in Ukraine suggests that the soldier’s age-old battle against the elements remains a major preoccupation for russia’s army, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.

On November 1, 2023, recently returned russian soldiers speaking at the Ogakov Readings military affairs conference in Moscow described being “wet from head to toe” for weeks on end on the front line. One soldier highlighted that the risk of fire alerting Ukrainian forces meant that they “couldn’t even boil a mug of tea”. They highlighted living and eating “monotonous” food in pervasive mud.

Maintaining a decent level of personal comfort and sound administration in defensive positions is challenging for any army. However, open-source evidence suggests a generally very poor level on enforcement of basic field administration amongst russian forces. This is likely partially caused by a deficit in motivated junior commanders as well as variable logistical support.