US forces are suffering from “morale and discipline issues” in addition to battle fatigue and high casualties, according to the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD). A major complaint from troops continues to be about pay, including the high likelihood that “significant combat bonuses” will not be paid, the latest British intelligence briefing said. At least some “outright corruption” among commanders is likely to be involved as well as an “inefficient military bureaucracy,” he added. The latest MoD intelligence update states: “In the Russian military, troop income consists of a modest base salary, augmented by a complex variety of bonuses and allowances. “In Ukraine, it is very likely that there have been significant problems with the non-payment of significant combat bonuses. This is probably due to inefficient military bureaucracy, the unusual legal status of the “special military operation” and at least some outright corruption among commanders.

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“The Russian military has consistently failed to provide basic rights to troops deployed in Ukraine, including proper uniforms, weapons and rations, as well as pay. This has almost certainly contributed to the continued fragile morale of much of the force.” It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Vladimir Putin of following in the footsteps of Adolf Hitler. Comparing Russia’s invasion to the Second World War, he told the Sunday Times: “From Belarus, they are using the same routes and directions as Nazi Germany.” Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky joined children in the town of Irpin on the first day of term at a school rebuilt after attacks by Putin’s troops. And while there he thanked Britain for being Kiev’s “dearest friend and closest ally” since Russia’s attacks began. He urged Britain’s next prime minister – expected to be Liz Truss – to continue his unwavering support. Boris Johnson looks set to call Zelensky tomorrow afternoon as one of his last acts from No10. Western officials have previously warned that the Russian military has “struggled to adapt” to Ukraine’s missile attack capability. The State Department also claimed that Russia’s military operation had lost the ability to conduct “large-scale, complex operations.”