Russian military officers are requesting to be relocated from the frontline in Ukraine under President Vladimir Putin’s command. Instances of disobedience and rebellion within Kremlin forces near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region coincide with Ukrainian offensives deep into Russian territory. This escalation comes as Russia observes Orthodox Christmas Eve. Reports also highlight issues with intoxicated commanders in the Zaporizhzhia region.
President Putin, absent from public view in 2026, is anticipated to attend a midnight church service tonight. However, he faces challenges following the arrest of his close associate Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and unrest in Iran, a key ally. Furthermore, he received a New Year’s demand from Donald Trump to halt hostilities and criticism from the US for falsely claiming Ukraine plotted against him.
A pro-Ukrainian faction, ATESH, disclosed that officers on the Pokrovsk front are seeking reassignment to safer zones to evade peril. The dissent primarily affects the 39th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade in the Eastern Military District’s 68th Army Corps. Despite Putin’s unfounded assertion of Pokrovsk’s liberation, fighting persists in the strategic location. ATESH reported that officers are under immense pressure from superiors and must fabricate reports to reflect stability.
The Russian officers express diminished morale, lack of familiarity with the area, and perceive the Pokrovsk front as hazardous. They are increasingly requesting transfers to less volatile areas due to fears of attacks and divulgence of their positions to Ukrainian forces by locals. Additionally, reports indicate that the 74th Motor Rifle Regiment in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region is enduring significant losses due to incompetent leadership fueled by alcohol consumption.
ATESH noted that casualties in the “alcohol-battalion” reach up to 100 per month, attributing the losses to erratic orders issued under the influence. Putin’s unwavering commitment to the conflict was evident in recent strikes on a US-owned factory in Dnipro, resulting in the spillage of 300 tonnes of vegetable oil. The conflict also led to civilian casualties in Nikopol and Lipetsk, with Ukrainian forces retaliating with strikes on Russian facilities.
The situation underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, with both sides sustaining casualties and engaging in retaliatory actions.