There is a problem of alcohol and drug abuse among Russian soldiers fighting on the front lines in Ukraine. This is highlighted by the British Military Intelligence daily bulletin.
In September, the independent Russian newspaper Vertska reported that up to 15% of Russian soldiers in Ukraine use drugs, including amphetamine and cannabis, which are easy to obtain even at the front. Such reports – the bulletins say – are credible and follow the Since the beginning of the invasion, there have been numerous reports of high rates of disciplinary incidents, crimes and deaths due to alcohol abuse among Russian forces.
“Russian commanders often punish alcohol and drug abuse by transferring them to Assault Z assault units, which have now become punitive units. One of the main causes of poor discipline and drug abuse in Russia is the persistent lack of opportunities for troops to move from deployment to the front line,” concludes military intelligence.
On the other hand, those responsible are currently concerned with the problems. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is considering firing three military commanders. This is what Ukrainska pravda writes, citing sources from the Military Political Command. At risk are the positions of Tetiana Ostashchenko, commander of the medical detachments, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavriya Strategic Group (Southern Front) forces, and Serhii Naiev, commander of the combined army forces.
The sources did not explain the reasons for the possible removal of Tarnavsky, the commander of one of the fronts of the counteroffensive. As for Naiev, the reasons were not given, but he could be included in the investigation into the failure of the defense of Kherson Oblast at the time of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Osttaschenko’s dismissal would ultimately be requested by the doctors and paramedics involved in the army’s medical care. The new Minister for Diesa Umerov took office in early September.