In September 2023, russian media outlet Vertska reported that up to 15% of russian soldiers in Ukraine were using drugs, including amphetamines and cannabis, and that they were easy to obtain even on the frontline, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
These reports are credible and follow numerous reports since the invasion of a high rate of disciplinary incidents, crimes and deaths related to alcohol abuse amongst the russian force.
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Russian commanders likely frequently punish drug and alcohol abusers by posting them to Storm-Z assault detachments, which have effectively become penal units. One of the core drivers of poor russian discipline and substance abuse likely remains the continued lack of opportunity for combat troops to rotate away from the front line.
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