Russian soldiers are too DRUNK to fight in Ukraine and alcohol behind ‘extremely high’ casualties, says British intelligence

RUSSIAN soldiers are far too drunk to fight effectively in Ukraine, according to a stunning assessment by British intelligence.

Defense Ministry officials unveiled their latest assessment, which revealed Vladimir Putin’s tinpot army is awash with drunk troops.

1

The intelligence agency blamed the nearly 200,000 casualties Russians have suffered over the past year – at least in part – on their love of alcohol.

Putin’s army has fought in Ukraine – it has made very few significant gains and is now fighting bitter battles in the east.

British intelligence said “alcohol abuse” was likely linked to the military’s poor performance.

They cited reports of an “extremely high” number of drunken incidents, crimes and deaths among Putin’s men.

Numerous anecdotal reports have surfaced among Russian armed forces during the drunken war – particularly among those called up in Vlad’s chaotic mobilization.

There were reports of drunken brawls, with demoralized and frightened soldiers gulping down vodka and other alcoholic beverages.

Some have reported that Putin’s drunken men accidentally blew themselves up with grenades.

“Russian commanders are likely to describe pervasive alcohol abuse as particularly detrimental to combat effectiveness,” the Defense Ministry said.

“But because heavy drinking is pervasive in much of Russian society, it has long been seen as a tacitly accepted part of military life, even on combat missions.”

Russia has long had a reputation as an alcohol-loving nation.

But its alcohol consumption per capita is only slightly higher than the UK at 11.7 liters compared to the UK’s 11.4 litres.

British intelligence’s embarrassing assessment is another damning indictment of Putin’s failing military.

It is already reported that its forces are under-equipped and under-trained – some soldiers are sent into battle armed with little more than shovels.

Vlad has not made the gains he or his commanders expected, and Russia is mired in a long, brutal war littered with humiliating defeats.

The tyrant now appears to have tied his future to his success or failure in Ukraine.

Putin foolishly believed that his forces would be welcomed as liberators in Ukraine when he invaded last February.

But instead, the first attack ended in disaster, with his forces devastated and thrown back to Russia.

Kiev continues to call for Western support to help them defeat Putin.

The world now waits to see if Ukraine will launch its long-awaited counter-offensive, with much of the fiercest fighting currently centering around the town of Bakhmut.