Since the Russian troops invaded Ukraine, it has become clear that many soldiers are surprisingly poorly equipped. Defense Minister Shoigu now has to find out how bad it is. President Putin expects a complete overview in a few weeks.
The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has to draw up an overview of the equipment of the Russian units fighting in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin expects the report to be submitted by February 1, the state news agency TASS reports, citing the Kremlin. The inventory should therefore include available military material such as tanks, weapons, the soldiers’ advanced combat equipment as well as military and special equipment. In addition, according to the order, Shoigu must collect how much protective and camouflage equipment is available to Russian troops in Ukraine.
With the inventory, Putin is possibly reacting to reports that have accompanied the Russian attack on Ukraine since February: In many cases, Russian troops are said to have gone to war with outdated equipment, if at all.
There are photos of the partial mobilization in September, in which recruits are told by their trainers that they have to take care of sleeping bags, insulating mats, protective vests and pressure bandages themselves. “If the pharmacy is out of stock, ask your relatives or check the first-aid box in your car,” a trainer tells the new soldier.
The Russian armed forces are also said to often lack suitable winter clothing. Many reportedly went into battle wearing rubber boots instead of winter boots. In many cases, the Ukrainian army is provided with warm underwear, sleeping bags, heaters, jackets for protection against the cold and winter hats by their western partners.
This is not Putin’s first attempt in recent weeks to solve the Russian armed forces’ equipment problems. As early as November, he had ordered spending to be checked more closely. In addition, in order to improve the quality of equipment, a kind of direct line should be established between the Russian units in Ukraine and the manufacturers of armaments. Shortly before Christmas, during his visit to a tank factory, he renewed his demand that the armaments industry must “supply all units with all the necessary weapons, technology, ammunition and equipment”.
