Russian officers flee war: Hundreds of commanders moved to rear - Ukraine's Intelligence
Photo: Russian officers are fleeing the war to the rear en masse (Getty Images)
Russian military officers are increasingly avoiding deployment to the front lines in Ukraine by transferring to rear units or abandoning their service, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence reports.
According to the Ukrainian spy agency, over 45% of officers serving in reserve units of Russia's Southern Military District have no legal grounds for being assigned to rear positions.
Documents signed by Lieutenant General Mikhail Zusko, Chief of Staff of the Southern Military District, reportedly show that more than 900 officers were transferred to rear units without justification. At least 200 of them were appointed to units that were already fully staffed.
In addition, Ukraine's Intelligence notes that some officers have been recorded abandoning their military service.
"This mass escape from the front line, disguised as formal reassignments to the rear, reflects growing demoralization and a deepening crisis within Russia's officer corps," the Ukrainian spy agency says.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence released radio intercepts proving acts of cannibalism among Russian troops.
Russian opposition media also previously reported that 2023 was a record year for Russian losses, particularly among officers. According to these reports, each kilometer of territory captured in Ukraine cost Russia the lives of 27 soldiers.
