A recent intercepted phone call has revealed the frustrations within the Russian military as a commander harshly criticized a soldier engaged in combat in southern Ukraine. The commander, in a profanity-laden outburst, expressed that the military has resorted to deploying cooks to the frontlines due to a severe shortage of personnel. “There are no f–king people left, everyone has left,” he was heard shouting, highlighting the dire situation facing Russian forces.
The call, released on October 6, 2023, by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, begins with the unnamed soldier expressing exhaustion and pleading for assistance. He stated, “I can’t start moving. My knees are so weak, I can’t even step on them.” Despite his evident distress, his commander dismissed his concerns with ridicule, questioning if he expected the company commander to personally assist him. The conversation escalated as the commander continued to vent his frustration at the situation.
“Because you can’t f–king win,” the commander continued, “they’ve already f–king been killed.” His words reflect a greater issue within the Russian military, where reports indicate that a significant number of troops, including non-combat personnel, are being sent into battle.
The Zaporizhzhia region has been a focal point of the conflict, with Russian advances stalling in recent weeks. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this stagnation can be attributed to Russia’s “own incompetence.” The Russian military’s struggles are further evidenced by estimates that nearly 1 million Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the conflict began in February 2022.
In a press release, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence noted that the Kremlin has begun deploying a wide range of personnel, including the wounded, cooks, drivers, and communication operators, to the frontlines in an effort to sustain their offensive. The situation reflects a broader crisis within the Russian military, where morale and operational effectiveness appear to be critically compromised.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by Russian forces as they attempt to secure control in contested regions, with the ongoing conflict revealing not only the human cost of war but also the strain on military resources. The implications of such internal strife could have lasting effects on the trajectory of the war and the stability of the Russian military in the region.