The meme that Ukraine is crushing the Russian invasion is flipping and a slew of videos of angry Ukrainian soldiers have popped up on Ukrainian social media over the past week. Apart from the despicable AZOV battalion, which surrendered 2500 fighters at Mariupol, the Ukrainian soldiers called into action and sent to the Donbas to fight the Russians are angry at their chain of command for not properly supplying them with the weapons and equipment they need to fight. This is not your normal troop bitching about conditions. All soldiers in all wars throughout history have passed the time complaining about lousy food, terrible weather, inept commanders and stupid decisions.
This is something different and explains one reason for Russia’s progress in the Donbass, as well as growing rumors of a coup to oust Zelensky. These soldiers still believe in fighting for Ukraine but are not keen on committing suicide and following crazed orders. Here are several videos allegedly of soldiers from eleven units presenting a formal demand to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian General in Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Here are the units:
- 13th Battalion of 58th Motorized Infantry Brigade
- 2nd Company of the 46th Rifle Battalion
- 3rd Platoon of the 46th Infantry Battalion
- 115th Brigade
- 3rd Platoon of the 115th Brigade
- 71st Jaeger Infantry Brigade
- Ukrainian 14th Brigade: 6th Battalion, 4th, 5th, and 6th companies
- Cherkasy Territorial Defense
- 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade
- 30th Mechanized Brigade 3rd Battalion 9th Company
- 57th Motorized Brigade
I know this is a ton of material. Those of you who believe this is all stage managed by the Russians need to explain why this is being posted on Ukrainian social media accounts. These are real Ukrainian soldiers and they are taking major risks in speaking up. This is not just one or two disgruntled privates bitching about cold chow. The members of each unit clearly felt the need to be seen supporting their spokesman.
If you took the time to watch each one you come away with enormous respect for the courage and integrity of the men speaking. I believe they are patriots who have been deceived into fighting for a false cause. But they are brave, honorable soldiers.
At a minimum, I think this may account for rumors surfacing about a coup to oust Zelensky. Zelensky has lost the support of the troops. I think it is only a matter of time before commanders start to follow.