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Vladimir Putin’s airborne forces have suffered heavy losses after being thrown into battles more suitable for heavier armored infantry, British defense chiefs said on Thursday.
They stressed that Russia’s elite airborne forces have been involved in a series of “tactical failures” in Putin’s war in Ukraine, which began just over three months ago.
These include being forced to withdraw after the capture of a key airport near Kyiv, as the Russian president tried to take over the Ukrainian capital within days of the invasion on February 24.
The UK’s defense chiefs said the VDV’s incredible work underlined that Putin’s army was an “unbalanced overall force”.
They also argue that “complacency” among Russian commanders is partly to blame for the heavy losses in many of their elite units.
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In its latest intelligence briefing, the Ministry of Defense in London said: “Russia’s airborne forces – VDV – have been actively involved in several notable tactical failures since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
“This includes the attempt to advance on Kyiv via Hostomel Airport in March, the delayed progress on the Izyum axis since April and the recent unsuccessful and costly crossing of the Seversky Donets River.
It adds: “Russian doctrine provides for the appointment of VDV for some of the most demanding operations. The 45,000-strong Airborne Forces consists mainly of professional contract soldiers. Its members enjoy elite status and attract extra pay.
“VDV was used for missions more suitable for heavier armored infantry and suffered heavy casualties during the campaign. His mixed performance probably reflects the strategic mismanagement of this ability and Russia’s failure to secure air superiority.
Military intelligence chiefs also stressed: “The improper operation of the VDV in Ukraine underscores how Putin’s significant investments in the armed forces over the past 15 years have led to unbalanced joint forces.
“The failure to anticipate Ukrainian resistance and the subsequent complacency of Russian commanders have led to significant losses in many of Russia’s more elite parts.
Britain and other Western countries are waging an information war against Russia over what is happening in Ukraine.
Russian forces have reportedly taken over territory in the eastern Donbass region, at least in localized attacks, after Putin’s generals sent a “crazy” number of troops and equipment into battle, according to Ukrainian officials.
Russian forces have shelled more than 40 cities in Donbas, the Ukrainian military said, and are now threatening to close the last major escape route for civilians trapped by their offensive in one area.
After failing to capture Kyiv or its second city, Kharkiv, Russia is trying to take full control of the eastern region, which includes the provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, which include areas held by Moscow-backed separatists.
Russia has expelled thousands of troops from the region, attacking from three countries in an attempt to encircle Ukrainian forces detained in the city of Severodonetsk and its twin, Lisichansk. Their fall will leave the entire province of Luhansk under Russian control, the Kremlin’s main goal of the war.
“The occupiers shelled more than 40 cities in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, destroying or damaging 47 civilian sites, including 38 homes and schools. As a result of this shelling, five civilians were killed and 12 were injured, “the Joint Task Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook.
The statement said ten enemy attacks had been repulsed, four tanks and four drones had been destroyed and 62 “enemy soldiers” had been killed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russian troops are “far superior to us” in parts of the east, where Putin has redirected his military campaign following the failure of his plan for a lightning invasion.
As Moscow seeks to strengthen its grip on its occupied territory, Mr Putin signed a decree simplifying the process of acquiring Russian citizenship and passports for residents of the newly occupied territories.
Russia’s parliament lifted the upper age limit for contract service in the army on Wednesday, so people over the age of 40 can be called up, stressing the need to replace lost troops.
Commenting on the new recruitment rules in Russia in a late-night video address, Mr Zelensky said: “(They) no longer have enough young men, but they still have the will to fight. It will still take time to crush that will. “
Britain estimates that more than 20,000 Russian soldiers have already been killed in Putin’s invasion, with tens of thousands of civilians fearing deaths in the often indiscriminate Russian bombing of cities, towns and villages.
Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are also believed to have been killed.
Zelenski said this week’s conflict could only end with direct talks between him and Putin.
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