UK intelligence has gathered that newly recruited Russian reserve troops have been instructed to procure their own combat first aid supplies.
Female sanitary pads have been recommended to soldiers arriving at the front lines as a cost-effective alternative, which is just another indication of the problems hindering Kremlin forces.
The UK Ministry of Defence said on Twitter: “Medical training and first-aid awareness is likely poor.
“Some Russian troops have obtained their own modern, Western-style combat tourniquets but have stowed them on their equipment using cable-ties, rather than with the Velcro provided – probably because such equipment is scarce and liable to be pilfered.
“This is almost certain to hamper or render impossible the timely application of tourniquet care in the case of catastrophic bleeding on the battlefield.”
The MoD said this shortage of medical equipment is almost certainly contributing to a “declining state of morale and a lack of willingness to undertake offensive operations” in many units in Ukraine.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 30 September 2022
Find out more about the UK government’s response: https://t.co/Y8S1k3So8J
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/BHmCsXHR8G
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) September 30, 2022