Russian forces suffer significant losses near Kherson - ISW
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The newly formed 337th Airborne (VDV) Regiment (104th VDV Division) of the Russian Armed Forces continues to suffer losses near the village of Krynyky on the left bank of the Kherson region, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
It is noted that the mother of one of the Russian servicemen recorded a video message, in which she reported that recently, during the fighting near Krynyky, the entire first company of the 337th Regiment was destroyed.
The woman says that the servicemen operating in this direction lack effective leadership at the mid-level commanders, they lack artillery support, and they spend 20 consecutive days in trenches without water and other supplies. She concluded her appeal with a request to the Russian command not to use the regiment's units as "cannon fodder."
Soldiers show disobedience
ISW also reports that the Commander of the Airborne Regiment, Lieutenant General Mikhail Teplinsky, and the Russian commanders of VDV are also facing problems of insubordination within the ranks of the 104th VDV Division.
The Russian opposition outlet Mobilization News circulated a video from December 24, showing how a Russian commander punishes several soldiers of the newly formed 345th VDV Regiment (104th VDV Division) for not obeying his orders, forcing them to jump into a pit completely naked at night.
Units of the 345th VDV Regiment operate under Teplinsky's command as part of the Russian group of forces Dnipro, which is currently carrying out combat tasks in southern Ukraine. The video footage of the punishment of soldiers indicates that Teplinsky may be facing insubordination challenges as a result of VDV losses on the east bank of the Dnipro River or due to the inexperience and insufficient training of soldiers and their junior officers in this area.
Current losses of Russian forces
Defense forces hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro in the Kherson region. Positional battles are taking place near Krynyky.
On Friday, December 22, Ukrainian forces shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter jets in the southern direction. This was the response of defenders to the aggressor's night drone attack the day before.
In the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, there were hints that the fighter jets could have been hit by an American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system.
Occupying forces are reducing aviation activity and the use of aerial bombs after the destruction of Russian Su-34s in southern Ukraine.
