Ukrainian Border Personnel Decline Combat Orders Against Russian Forces: Report
Click to start listening
Synopsis
A report reveals that Ukrainian border guards are refusing combat orders against Russian forces in the Kursk region due to moral concerns, psychological distress, and health issues. The situation highlights significant losses for Ukraine as the focus of military operations shifts.
Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian border guards are declining to fight against Russian forces.
- Moral and psychological issues are affecting their willingness.
- Significant casualties have been reported on the Ukrainian side.
- The military operations are moving towards the Sumy region.
- Former military officials have criticized the strategic decisions made.
Moscow, Mar 4 (NationPress) Ukrainian border personnel are reportedly unwilling to engage in combat against their Russian counterparts in the Kursk region, according to the Russian state-operated news outlet Ria Novosti, which referenced available video evidence.
One Ukrainian sergeant expressed, “I am not prepared for the moral and psychological strain, the presence of three minor children, the absence of escort, lack of situational awareness, insufficient reconnaissance, and poor communication capabilities. There is no coordination with nearby units in the operational area. The directives for the mission do not align with the actual circumstances,” as quoted in the video.
Additional video footage indicated that numerous Ukrainian border guards declined to fulfill their duties due to their psychological and moral distress, as well as health concerns. A border guard remarked that he feared for his life, as reported by Ria Novosti.
Last week, Russia's Tass news agency cited a defense official stating that the Ukrainian military leadership recognizes that the incursion in the border Kursk Region has led to significant losses for its troops, as the combat focus shifts toward Ukraine's Sumy region.
In February, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine's casualties in the Kursk Region surpassed 61,000 servicemen. A senior Russian military official mentioned to the military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda that the Russian forces had taken control of 64 percent of the Kursk region's territory, which was initially seized by Ukrainian forces following a surprise offensive last year.
The Ukrainian armed forces launched an attack on the Kursk region on August 6, 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated that Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region is illogical from a military-strategic perspective. Former Ukrainian Army General Dmitry Marchencko also remarked that the invasion into the Kursk Region lacked a defined objective, even though it involved elite units of the Ukrainian army. He resigned after making this statement.
