Leigh Mcmanus
A Russian soldier has admitted that he and his fellow troops spent a lot of time "sleeping and drinking" during their training, and they even dug trenches with spoons.
Interviews were conducted with Russian soldiers and their relatives to investigate whether mobilised men were prepared for Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" over the border in Ukraine.
But the "training" descended into constant boozing according to soldiers, who told the publication that when the troops were paid the drinking would begin.
Insider reports the soldier, named Yaroslav, as explaining: "When the soldiers received 200,000 rubles (£2,000) on their bank accounts, they went into a frenzy.
A rented truck was used 'to bring in daily supplies of alcohol' (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)"To prevent them from leaving the base, they were allowed to collect money and rent a Gazelle truck, which was used to bring in daily supplies of alcohol, cigarettes, and meat. The truck drove to the base every day, constantly filled to the brim."
He said that the same men spent their time drinking and sleeping, not training, but were sent to Ukraine anyway.
"They spent two to three months indulging in food and drinks, and then were dispatched to Ukraine with such 'fine' training," he said.
The men spent their time drinking and sleeping, not training (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)"Not once did I witness them firing a shot or undergoing any military training."
Yaroslav claimed he was told by one of the soldiers that only nine men out of 500 had survived the front line. He said he found the "drunk standing outside a store".
Another soldier, Anatoly, said of the barracks: "No one wants to stay in a place like that, it's not good there at all. The guys booze all day."
Ministry of Defence officials stated the Russian Army is made up of tipsy troops (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)And he painted a dire picture of the Russian camps in Ukraine, saying: "They didn't even have any food - no dry rations were given to them.
"They boarded up the windows, stripped the flooring and dug a small hole to provide cover in case of an attack.
"They had to dig with camping spoons."
'Russian commanders likely identify pervasive alcohol abuse as particularly detrimental to combat effectiveness,' said the MoD (Image: Getty Images)In a recent report, Ministry of Defence officials stated the Russian president’s army is made up of tipsy troops.
The assessment blamed nearly 200,000 of Russia’s casualties on the soldier's sloshed state.
"Russian commanders likely identify pervasive alcohol abuse as particularly detrimental to combat effectiveness," said the MoD.
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