Russian officers seek transfers as morale collapses near Pokrovsk

Wednesday 07 January 2026 - 12:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Russian officers seek transfers as morale collapses near Pokrovsk

Russian military commanders confront an unprecedented morale crisis, with elite unit officers desperately requesting reassignments from deadly frontline positions around Pokrovsk, according to reports from Ukrainian intelligence sources and partisan networks. This breakdown coincides with at least one regiment's leaders issuing orders while intoxicated, leading to catastrophic losses exceeding 100 soldiers per month, per Ukrainian accounts. Officers from Russia's 39th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade are submitting mass requests for rear-area or quieter sector postings, as reported by the Ukrainian partisan group ATESH operating in Russian-occupied territories.

The command responds with threats of disciplinary action, demotions, and career endings to retain personnel. "Officers face severe reprimands for subordinates surrendering positions, must report a 'stable situation' that doesn't exist, and are forced to sign documents far from reality," ATESH stated, citing embedded sources. The group described officers as "completely demotivated, poorly oriented to local conditions, and viewing the Pokrovsk front as a dangerous posting."

In occupied Zaporizhzhia, conditions have worsened further. ATESH detailed the 74th Motorized Regiment suffering devastating losses due to commanders issuing orders in advanced states of drunkenness. An infiltrated agent in the 4th Battalion reported platoon and company leaders routinely consuming alcohol at forward positions near the front line. "Orders are given in severe alcohol intoxication, without any grasp of the real situation," soldiers told ATESH. The unofficial "alcoholic battalion" loses up to 100 troops monthly killed and wounded far exceeding comparable units, as assaults launch without proper intelligence or fire support. "The battalion's fate doesn't depend on tactics or the enemy, but on how much alcohol the commanders drank today," ATESH concluded.

As Russian forces grapple with internal discipline issues, Ukraine has ramped up deep strikes on military and energy infrastructure inside Russia. Overnight on January 6, Ukrainian drones hit an oil depot in Usman, Lipetsk Oblast, sparking fires visible from kilometers away. Explosions also rocked Penza, where residents heard multiple blasts after 2 a.m. local time, with preliminary reports pointing to strikes on a bearings factory. Ukrainian intelligence confirmed the attacks came from the Security Service's Alpha special forces unit.

These operations fit a sustained campaign, with Ukraine targeting Moscow daily in 2026 so far, per Russian Defense Ministry data—marking a sharp escalation from prior sporadic hits. The morale slump and discipline erosion come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as new chief of staff on January 2, replacing Andriy Yermak who resigned amid a corruption probe. This move underscores Zelensky's focus on security amid a war nearing four years without immediate resolution prospects.