Threat of Desertion and Sabotage: Russian Occupants on Kherson Front Face Critical Morale Crisis
In Kherson region, amid ongoing warfare and constant battles, serious issues of discipline and morale are emerging among Russian occupation troops.
Official sources and resistance movement «ATEШ» report the appearance of so-called «firestarters» — soldiers deliberately destroying their own equipment to avoid combat and reduce casualties.
This behavior is driven by growing dissatisfaction and declining combat readiness among units, especially the 24th Motor Rifle Regiment operating in the Kherson sector.
According to insurgents, command structures are responding with increasingly harsh management methods, which only add to chaos and discontent within the ranks.
Notably, Russian forces currently leave their positions without necessary electronic warfare tools that could counter Ukrainian drones.
All these factors are creating a tense situation that may benefit Ukrainian armed forces.
Amid rising sabotage, activists from «ATEШ» urge enemy soldiers to refuse criminal orders, destroy enemy equipment, and join the resistance movement.
Similar circumstances are reported in other regions — for example, in Rostov, where insurgents «ATEШ» disrupted a key railway line, paralyzing logistical support for the aggressor.
Likewise, a critical internal crisis is observed among Russian units in Zaporizhzhia, including the 108th DShBr.
Increased suicide cases, desertions, and waning morale indicate a deep crisis within occupier forces, which increasingly treat soldiers as disposable in their unequal fight with Ukrainian defenders.