Russian military officers are requesting to be relocated from the frontline in Ukraine, expressing discontent and signs of insubordination amid ongoing conflicts in the Donetsk region. The unrest coincides with Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory as the country observes Orthodox Christmas Eve. Reports also indicate issues with inebriated commanders in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Vladimir Putin, who has been notably absent in 2026, is anticipated to attend a midnight church service but is facing challenges such as the arrest of his ally Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and unrest in Iran. Furthermore, he is under pressure from Donald Trump to cease hostilities and has received criticism for false claims regarding Ukraine.
A pro-Ukraine partisan group, ATESH, reports that officers on the Pokrovsk front are seeking reassignment to safer areas out of fear for their lives. The dissent primarily involves the 39th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade within the 68th Army Corps of the Eastern Military District. Despite Putin’s assertion that Pokrovsk has been “liberated,” fighting continues, and officers face disciplinary actions for perceived failures.
The officers are described as demoralized and struggling to navigate the challenging conditions at the front, leading them to request transfers to less hazardous locations. In a separate incident, the 74th Motor Rifle Regiment in the Zaporizhzhia region is reportedly suffering significant losses due to incompetent leadership under the influence of alcohol.
Putin’s resolve to continue the conflict is evident in recent attacks, including a strike on a US-owned vegetable plant in Dnipro, causing material damage. Ukrainian retaliatory strikes have resulted in casualties, with incidents in Tver and Lipetsk. The situation remains tense as both sides engage in military actions during this period.
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