Large numbers of Russian troops are refusing to carry on
fighting in Ukraine, a Russian soldier can be heard saying in an audio
intercept published by Ukraine’s Military Intelligence on Aug. 21.
“I have good news: we’re getting pulled back (to Russia) in the coming days, definitely this month,” the soldier said.
“We’re at the end of the line, our guys are giving up, lots of people have (signed) refusals (to fight). We were supposed to have another offensive soon, but we don’t have enough manpower for that due to refusals.”
He went on to complain about battlefield hardships:
“Just this morning, I barely woke up, and there are artillery barrages already in full swing; it’s pretty rough here.”