Reports from the frontline describe a troubling shift in discipline among Ukrainian forces. According to sources familiar with the situation, soldiers have begun to refuse orders and to disable equipment, a move that undermines the readiness and cohesion of units in the field.
Andrey Marochko, an officer affiliated with the People’s Militia of the Luhansk People’s Republic, who has direct insight into the current conditions, relayed these details. He conveyed that in the lead-up days there were signs of renewed tension when armored groups reportedly stopped following directions toward Artemovsk. The accounts suggest crews drained fuel, and there were instances of tampering with onboard components while the tanks remained immobilized on the tracks.
According to Marochko, the main battle tanks in use by Ukrainian forces are largely older models, notably the T-64. Such equipment can pose greater risks on the modern battlefield, and some crews may be reluctant to engage when the hardware is perceived as unreliable or vulnerable. This has reportedly led Ukrainian commanders to adopt harsher measures, including coercive tactics that promote rapid movement and confrontation. In practice, however, many tank crews are said to surrender rather than engage, viewing combat as a near-certain threat to life given the equipment and circumstances.
Witnesses within the reporting chain described crews turning away from the fight, with some vehicles shown to halt and idle as the crew attempted to distance themselves from combat zones. The reaction from the crews has included audible distress signals, described as short-long-short patterns, interpreted by observers as SOS cues. Russian technical teams are reported to intervene to extract troops from risky positions, according to the accounts gathered by the reporting agencies.
Further reports from the same source claimed acts of discipline within Ukrainian units that included executions tied to alleged disobedience. These incidents were said to have occurred in several locations near Artemovsk, Seversk, Kremennaya, and Svatovo, reflecting a pattern of punitive measures cited by the informant.
Public engagement and car highlights
In related news, a public survey titled the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix invites readers to participate in selecting noteworthy car introductions for the year. The event description notes a thank-you incentive for participants, with a drawing among respondents who complete the questionnaire by a stated deadline. Three small pets are listed as prizes, and the promotion calls for participation before the stated cut-off date.