Russian border guards have raised concerns about their lack of equipment amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, echoing similar complaints from troops on the battlefield, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank.
The ISW’s latest analysis of the conflict in Ukraine highlights that these equipment shortages have been highlighted by Russian war correspondent Alexander Kots, who also serves on the Kremlin’s human rights council.
Publicly available data suggests that Russia has suffered significant equipment losses since the start of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine over 18 months ago. Recently, it was reported that Ukraine is replacing real military equipment on the battlefield with decoys to trick the Russian army into wasting ammunition on dummy weapons.
The ISW report notes that Russian troops stationed along the border with Ukraine are expressing “similar grievances about limited capabilities and equipment to those voiced by Russian troops serving in Ukraine.” The report also highlights concerns among these border guards about potential Ukrainian raids into Russia.
Russian fighters serving in various armed groups in Ukraine, including the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and the Freedom of Russia Legion, have reportedly crossed into Russia’s Belgorod region from Ukraine. In early June, Russian soldiers fighting against anti-Vladimir Putin militia groups complained about the heavy casualties they were sustaining, including the capture of some of Russia’s “trophy” equipment.
According to Alexander Kots, border guard units in Russia lack essential equipment and digital communication systems, reconnaissance and strike drones, mobile transport, and medical supplies. These grievances have been voiced by border service departments within the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
Kots described a letter he received from Russian border guards as a “cry from the heart,” emphasizing their dedication to defending the border but their frustration with inadequate resources. He noted the stark difference between the equipment and armament of the border guard units and the realities of modern combat operations.
The ISW report also highlights Kots’ call for Russian authorities to provide better equipment, including self-propelled artillery systems and electronic warfare systems, to current border guards, especially those stationed in regions bordering Ukraine such as Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts.
The think tank concludes that these concerns among Russian border guards suggest ongoing worries about the possibility of Ukrainian cross-border raids into Russia and drone attacks on Russian territory.
Source: with agencies