Russian troops face staggering losses in Pokrovsk due to failed support

In the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Pokrovsk direction, the Russian 9th separate Guards motorized rifle brigade has been severely affected. Reports have emerged stating that soldiers are suffering heavy losses due to their inadequate training and lack of support from their command structures. This troubling situation has been reported by the partisan group ATESH, which claims to have insights from within the Russian military ranks. The agent from ATESH highlighted that within the 9th brigade, informal groups have been formed to track down and detain servicemen who abandon their units without permission. These groups operate outside the law, exerting pressure on soldiers' families and resorting to threats. Those apprehended are reportedly relocated to combat units, often against their will, where they are forced into dangerous frontline positions. This lack of proper command and the pressure exerted on the soldiers contribute to the dire state of morale among the troops. Moreover, the strategic failures within this unit have become apparent. Soldiers are sent to defend positions that have previously been attacked, only to face Ukrainian forces themselves upon arrival. This captures the irony and mismanagement of their military strategy, placing the brigade members directly in harm's way due to poor operational planning. With many personnel having to engage in combat soon after arriving at their locations, the result has led to many casualties and the capture of Russian soldiers by Ukrainian forces. Adding to the distressing circumstances, the evacuation of injured soldiers is reportedly lacking. There are claims that wounded servicemen must crawl over five kilometers to reach positions where they can receive medical assistance. This situation has induced a profound sense of despair, further deteriorating the brigade's morale. As these developments unfold in the Pokrovsk direction, the implications for the larger conflict remain significant, hinting at systematic mismanagement within the Russian military structure and rising challenges for combatants in the region.