Financial Times: New Ukrainian troops are fleeing their posts
Ukrainian commanders are increasingly concerned about new soldiers who are poorly trained and often defect from their positions, the Financial Times reported.
According to Isna, this newspaper also wrote: “Four commanders, one deputy commander and 12 soldiers from four Ukrainian brigades told the Financial Times that the new soldiers lack basic combat skills and motivation and often run away from their positions when they are shot at.” “
Commanders estimated that 50 to 70 percent of new infantry recruits were killed or wounded within days of their first appearance on the battlefield, the newspaper continued.
One of the deputies of the Ukrainian army forces in the country’s 72nd mechanized brigade stationed near the city of “Ugeldar” in Donetsk said: “When new troops arrive at this position, many of them run away at the first explosion or gunfire.
He also noted: “We are more vulnerable when the forces are moved.”
The Financial Times continued: “Age is a key concern as seasoned soldiers are being replaced by men who are often older, inexperienced and in poorer physical condition, making it difficult to carry heavy equipment. Commanders in the region and military analysts have warned that the newly deployed troops are not highly motivated, mentally and physically unprepared, and as a result are being killed at an alarming rate.
Sources also told the Financial Times that the problems begin even before the conscripts reach the battlefield. Commanders say newly deployed soldiers lack training. One of them explained that the military instructors themselves have no real combat experience, so they don’t teach the recruits what they need to know to fight and more importantly to survive.
“Some of the new recruits don’t even know how to hold their rifles,” said one commander.
end of message
News>RCO NEWS
RCO