British intelligence: Russian army increasingly loosing control of units on all levels

Eight months into the invasion, major elements of Russia’s military leadership are increasingly dysfunctional.

Caliber.Az reports, referring to the Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine, which notes that there is almost certainly a worsening shortage of capable Russian junior officers at the tactical level to organise and lead newly mobilised reservists.

The latest Intelligence report, published by the UK Defence Ministry on October 19, notes that poor lower-level leadership is likely worsening the low morale and poor unit cohesion in many parts of the Russian force.

While the Russian media is providing only sparse coverage on a recent deadly incident at a military base, the Defence Ministry included it in their report, stating that according to eyewitness statements, “the shooting of 11 Russian soldiers near Belgorod by a fellow recruit on 15 October 2022 occurred after an officer’s abusive comments towards ethnic minority recruits”.

It continues by noting that, “four of the five generals with direct operational command of elements of the invasion in February 2022 have now been dismissed. Their replacements have so far done little to improve Russia’s battlefield performance”.

“The lack of command continuity will likely be more disruptive than in a Western military because under Russian doctrine the development of plans sits largely with the commander personally, rather than as a collective effort across a broader staff”, the intelligence update concludes.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 19 October 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/Q60IXHlkqX

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/iDL7P6QA77

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) October 19, 2022