This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/russia/606813-ukraine-retreat-ban-narrative/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ukrainian army banned from using word ‘retreat’ – US-funded media Ukrainian army banned from using word ‘retreat’ – US-run media
(about 4 hours later)
Kiev’s military insists on narrative over reality, a Radio Liberty reporter has complained Kiev’s military insists on narrative over reality, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter has complained
The Ukrainian military has forbidden its soldiers from using the word ‘retreat’ when speaking to the press, according to a reporter for Radio Liberty, a US government-funded outlet. The Ukrainian military has reportedly instructed soldiers to avoid using the term “retreat” in communication with the press, according to a reporter from RFE/RL, the US state-run foreign media network.
Vlasta Lazur is an employee of Radio Liberty’s Ukrainian-language service. In an interview with the Ukrainian broadcaster Radio NV on Wednesday, she revealed a troubling pattern in military communications. In an interview with Kiev’s Radio NV, on Wednesday, Vlasta Lazur shared insights gathered from recent conversations with Ukrainian troops and their commanders.
“I spoke with a soldier on the Pokrovsk front. He said, ‘we received orders to use the words ‘offensive’, ‘victory’, ‘moving forward’, ‘driving out the enemy’ when communicating with journalists. But I can’t say the word ‘retreat’ or that the enemy has breached our defenses‘,” Lazur said. “I spoke with a soldier on the Pokrovsk front,” Lazur said. “He said, ‘We received orders to use the words ‘offensive,’ ‘victory,’ ‘moving forward,’ and ‘driving out the enemy’ when communicating with journalists. But I can’t say the word ‘retreat’ or that the enemy has breached our defenses.’”
“Maybe we should say that we are advancing on the Dnieper?” she quoted her source as saying. The river is to the rear of Ukrainian troops at Pokrovsk (also known as Krasnoarmeysk), a city in the Donetsk People’s Republic under Kiev’s control. Pokrovsk, in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic, has been a major scene of fighting in recent weeks.
According to Lazur, even military spokespeople joke about the instructions they have been given. Moreover, the military units themselves do not communicate the real situation on the ground to the high command. Lazur noted that the restrictions reflect deeper communication issues within Ukraine’s military hierarchy. “Everyone lies to each other. Local commanders are afraid to report to generals or higher-ups any problems, or that they do not have enough people, or that they are not able to carry out a task,” she added.
According to her, reports based on reality are often withheld from the top command as commanders fear disciplinary actions or job loss.
One soldier reportedly joked about the situation: “Maybe we should say that we are advancing on the Dnieper?” The Dnieper River is located to the rear of Ukrainian forces, underscoring the irony felt by some on the ground who sense a disconnect between official statements and the realities of their positions.
“Everyone lies to each other. Local commanders are afraid to report to generals or higher-ups any problems, or that they do not have enough people, or that they are not able to carry out a task. Even if such reports are founded in reality, they are afraid to send them, for fear of getting fired,” Lazur said.“Everyone lies to each other. Local commanders are afraid to report to generals or higher-ups any problems, or that they do not have enough people, or that they are not able to carry out a task. Even if such reports are founded in reality, they are afraid to send them, for fear of getting fired,” Lazur said.
Her revelations come a day after Vladimir Zelensky revealed that Ukrainian troops on the front line should “retreat” – his words – when outnumbered by the Russians eight to one. These revelations coincide with comments by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who acknowledged that Ukrainian forces might need to “retreat” when significantly outnumbered. Despite mobilizing over a million people since the escalation of conflict in 2022, Ukraine’s government faces severe manpower and logistical challenges. Recent revelations from lawmakers highlight over 100,000 cases of desertion, and they expect to call up an additional 160,000 troops in the coming months.
Kiev has mobilized over a million people since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022, and intends to conscript another 160,000 in the next three months, Ukrainian lawmaker Aleksey Goncharenko said in the parliament on Tuesday. This “will allow us to staff military units with up to 85% personnel,” he said, citing Aleksandr Litvinenko, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. As Kiev contends with battlefield pressures, the internal limitations on reporting may underscore an attempt to manage public perceptions about the conflict’s progress.
Lawmakers have revealed other manpower issues, including over 100,000 desertions and the orders from the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, General Aleksandr Syrsky, to reassign air force personnel to infantry units.
Russian forces have made major advances in Donbass over the past several months. One Ukrainian general has blamed shortages of munitions, battle fatigue, and poor command and control.Russian forces have made major advances in Donbass over the past several months. One Ukrainian general has blamed shortages of munitions, battle fatigue, and poor command and control.