In intercepted audio from the Ukrainian front lines, Russian soldiers use codes like "200s" for fatalities and "300s" for injuries, with "500s" indicating those refusing to fight.
As the conflict endures, more Russian troops express a desire to leave, revealed in confidential recordings obtained by the Associated Press from soldiers in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions.These recordings provide a rare insight into the Russian perspective.The evolution of the war is evident, transitioning from professional soldiers to a broader demographic facing harsh conditions.One soldier from Kharkiv lamented, "Theres no f------ dying the death of the brave here.
You just die like a f------ earthworm."Moscow's ongoing efforts to recruit soldiers include the autumn conscription draft, enlisting about 130,000 young men.
Despite assurances that conscripts won't be sent to Ukraine, they become reservists after a year, potential mobilization candidates.The AP confirmed the identities of those in the calls, which were edited for clarity and length, and names were withheld for safety.
The calls, from January 2023, include discussions about the intense battle in Bakhmut and the soldiers' backgrounds, ranging from a meat plant worker to a law firm employee.The desperation in these calls aligns with increasing legal actions against Russian soldiers refusing to fight.
One soldier from Kharkiv told his brother, "If this s--- doesnt stop, then soon well be leading the Ukrainians to the Kremlin ourselves."Yet, some soldiers, like Artyom, remain committed.
"As long as we are needed here, we will carry out our task," he stated, despite his frustration with the situation.The Kremlin and Russian ministry of defense did not comment on these recordings.One soldier, nicknamed "Crazy Professor," drafted in September 2022, found himself on the front line near Bakhmut.
He described inadequate equipment and chaotic conditions, leading to friendly fire incidents.
He questioned the morality of his actions, especially when firing mortars.After his brother's tragic death in a car accident, the Professor struggled to return home for the funeral and now faces potential imprisonment for desertion.
Haunted by his experiences, he seeks a return to normalcy while grappling with his family's hardships.Artyom, another soldier, expressed disillusionment with the war's purpose and the lack of honest communication about the front-line conditions.
Despite understanding the rationale behind desertion, he chose to stay and follow orders.Roman, after months in Ukraine, advised a friend in Russia to avoid the war at all costs, describing the harsh realities and psychological toll of the conflict.
He recounted harrowing experiences, including a mission involving close combat and the constant threat of death.Andrei, mobilized from Russia's far east, expressed frustration with the disregard for mobilized soldiers' lives and the senselessness of the conflict.
He lamented his participation in the war and yearned for a peaceful life back home.These accounts reveal the complex and often grim reality faced by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, marked by desperation, disillusionment, and a longing for an end to the conflict.Ukraine, Russia engage in drone warMeanwhile, the ongoing conflict, now in its 22nd month, has seen both Russia and Ukraine employing drones, with the front lines largely stagnant despite intense combat.The Russian defense ministry said, "Air defence destroyed nine drones over the territory of the Moscow, Tula, Kaluga and Bryansk regions," indicating a widespread impact of the drone activity.
Additional Ukrainian drones were reportedly downed in the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, as well as in the southwestern Smolensk region and the Tula region north of Moscow.This escalation occurred after Ukraine reported that Russia had launched 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones, primarily targeting Kyiv, in what was described as a "record" attack since Moscow's offensive began last year.Ukraine has intensified its strikes on Russian territories since its counteroffensive this summer, targeting areas near the front lines and deeper inside Russia, including Moscow.Currently, the focus of the ground conflict has shifted to the industrial city of Avdiivka, which is nearing encirclement by Russian forces.
The potential fall of Avdiivka, a symbol of Ukrainian resistance since 2014, would be a significant setback for Kyiv.In other developments, Ukraine reported Russian assaults in the south and east.
The head of Kherson, Roman Mrochko, noted shelling in two urban districts and ongoing assessments of potential casualties.
The Kherson region also faced power outages due to adverse weather and Russian attacks.Ukraine is bracing for a possible repeat of last year's attacks on its energy infrastructure, which left many without power during cold conditions.
Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson region, stated on Telegram, "Due to bad weather and Russian shelling, a number of settlements in our region were left without electricity."President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that nearly 400 localities in Ukraine are currently without electricity due to severe weather, exacerbating the country's challenges.Amid these developments, Ukraine is seeking more Western support and weaponry to counter Russian forces as winter approaches.(With inputs from agencies)