Russian Forces Are Accidentally Killing Their Own Soldiers: Ukraine

Ukraine's military on Saturday provided an update about its war with Russia that said opposing forces had engaged in the accidental killing of their own troops.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on its Facebook page that in "addition to the significant losses of servicemen of the Russian occupation forces on the territory of Ukraine as a result of the actions of units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, the enemy also suffers losses from the so-called 'friendly fire.'"

The post also said that the accidental deaths among the ranks of Russian President Vladimir Putin's military came as a result of their ill preparation.

"This is a consequence of the low training of tank and artillery crews, as well as the lack of interaction and communication between units," the update said.

Russia has been beset with reports of its troops not being properly trained since at least the summer. In July, the independent news outlet MediaZona spoke with family members of dead Russian soldiers who said the recruits had not been properly trained before being sent into war.

Last month, an assessment by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense (MOD) characterized the Russian forces as being ill-prepared for combat. The report said draftees had complained about a lack of equipment and that they have not been paid.

"Newly mobilized conscripts likely have minimal training or no training at all," the U.K. MOD said, adding that "experienced officers and trainers have been deployed to fight in Ukraine, and some have likely been killed in the conflict."

The assessment further stated that having undertrained troops does not seem to provide much benefit to the Russian military. "Deploying forces with little or no training provides little additional offensive combat capability," the MOD said.

The reports of troops being undertrained could only compound the morale problem that has reportedly been an issue with the Russian military since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in late February.

Last month, a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, said the Russian military's morale was exceptionally bad following recent combat losses.

"The morale and psychological state of Russian forces in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts are exceedingly low," the ISW said. "Significant losses on the battlefield, mobilization to the front lines without proper training, and poor supplies have led to cases of desertion."

Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment.