(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – Russian military bloggers who have consistently supported the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine are now publicly acknowledging that Russia is struggling to sustain its military campaign, citing severe losses and an inability to recruit enough personnel to replace them.
The comments shed light on why the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues to signal a willingness to prolong the war while refusing to abandon Moscow’s demand to seize the Donbas. According to these commentators, the issue is not strategic patience but rather the failure of Russian forces to achieve their objectives by force.
The bloggers state that Russia’s ability to fight a prolonged war has been overstated. They argue that Russia is not only losing ground but also losing the capacity to absorb heavy casualties over time. This assessment challenges official Kremlin messaging that portrays the conflict as manageable and sustainable.
Two widely followed Russian military bloggers report that Russian units are suffering losses of up to 80 percent in some formations. They also claim that recruitment levels are insufficient to compensate for these losses, creating growing gaps in frontline units. One blogger added that Ukraine’s stated objective of inflicting 50,000 Russian casualties per month is likely to be reached if current trends continue.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to target Russian military infrastructure supporting attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian aviation recently carried out a precision strike on a site used by Russian forces to launch attack drones. The operation was intended to disrupt ongoing aerial assaults on civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
The strike took place in the northern direction, with available indicators pointing to Russia’s Kursk region, which has increasingly been used as a rear base for drone operations. Ukrainian sources said the site supported the preparation and deployment of long range attack drones that have been used extensively against energy facilities, industrial sites and civilian targets.
In striking launch and support infrastructure rather than individual drones in flight, Ukraine aims to reduce both the frequency and effectiveness of future attacks. Ukrainian officials did not disclose details about the exact location, the level of damage, or Russian losses. However, the strike aligns with a broader strategy of targeting logistical and operational nodes deep behind the front line to weaken Russia’s strike capabilities over time.
Further insight into Russia’s internal strain comes from accounts shared by experienced Russian soldiers. A Russian military blogger known as Vault 8 described cases of deserters surviving for months in so called grey zones between opposing forces.
According to his account, one deserter lived in a forest strip previously believed to be empty. Armed with ammunition and grenades, the deserter reportedly fired at Russian troops and possibly at Ukrainian forces before being captured. During questioning, he said he had survived for nearly six months by stealing food, collecting rainwater and hunting wildlife.
The blogger added that similar cases have occurred, with Russian soldiers hiding from both their own command and Ukrainian forces, living in makeshift conditions for months during warmer seasons. These accounts highlight the pressures faced by Russian personnel and the growing strain within Russia’s military structure.
