The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is taking a heavy toll on soldiers from all sides, including Russian troops. For many Russian soldiers, the war has become a source of profound exhaustion and disillusionment. Amidst the chaos and violence, these soldiers find themselves grappling with a sense of waning motivation and relentless propaganda. A recent report from the Moscow Times shed light on the melancholic mood among Russian troops, revealing that the enthusiasm for the war is dwindling.
Dima, a 40-year-old professional soldier whose name was changed for the interview, has been stationed both in Syria and near Kherson in southern Ukraine. He expressed his conflicted feelings about fighting Ukrainians, many of whom are his relatives. 'Waging war against the Ukrainians is hard,' Dima admitted. 'It's like we're fighting some of our own people.' Despite his personal turmoil, Dima echoed Russian propaganda by claiming that Ukraine has never been a sovereign state.
The legitimacy of the so-called 'special military operation' still holds sway over many soldiers despite the physical and mental toll. Dima recounted capturing a Ukrainian soldier who admitted he had no desire to fight, a sentiment Dima shared. Nonetheless, Dima holds onto a grenade to ensure he won't be captured alive, illustrating the extreme pressure and danger faced by troops on the front lines.
Pavel, another soldier, volunteered for the military after Ukrainian soldiers killed his relatives. He too believes in Russia's eventual victory but acknowledged his own trauma from the relentless planning and executing of offensives. He described how he sometimes sends soldiers into near-suicidal missions to distract from the main assault, a strategy that leaves him sleepless at night. Pavel's account emphasizes the physical and psychological scars borne by soldiers in the conflict.
The atmosphere of desperation is further illustrated by a soldier named Yegor, who was conscripted in Russia's partial mobilization of 2022. After suffering a leg injury, he received compensation but had to return to the front. Yegor admitted that he would desert if it weren’t for the threat of imprisonment, calling the war 'pointless.' His sentiment underscores the growing disenchantment and attrition within Russia's military ranks.
In another account, Russian soldiers infiltrated behind Ukrainian lines to a village in Donbass. The details remain vague, but the intensity of combat was palpable. The reconnaissance revealed a gray building surrounded by vegetation, believed to house entrenched enemy forces. Despite using artillery, grenade launchers, kamikaze drones, and heavy machine guns, the Russian soldiers struggled to end the operation.
These reports collectively paint a picture of a war that is grinding down its participants, leaving them physically wounded and mentally scarred. Even as Russian propaganda tries to sustain motivation, the brutal reality of the conflict seems to be eroding the resolve of many soldiers. The high human cost and the deep-seated exhaustion manifest in these stories raise questions about the long-term durability of the Russian military effort in Ukraine.
- The mental and physical toll of the Ukraine war on Russian soldiers is becoming increasingly evident. Dima, who has fought in both Syria and Ukraine, faces an internal conflict as he battles against people who he sees as similar to himself and his own family. Despite this, the lingering impact of state propaganda still influences his perception of the conflict.
- Another soldier, Pavel, finds himself making morally challenging decisions, sending soldiers into deadly situations for strategic gains. This has left him with a sense of guilt and sleepless nights, highlighting the human cost of military strategies.
- Yegor's story, with his injuries and the fear of imprisonment for desertion, exemplifies the desperate situation for many conscripted soldiers. The fight in Donbass also indicates the unpredictable and intense nature of combat, as Russian forces attempt to gain the upper hand with varying degrees of success.
