Leaked tape captures Russian troops mocking Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine

Russian troops in Ukraine say the situation has become so embarrassing after more than a year of war that they are convinced no one wants to be there at all.

That’s according to a two-and-a-half-minute recording released by Ukraine’s intelligence service on Thursday, which allegedly records a phone conversation between two weary Russian soldiers discussing mass exodus.

After 119 soldiers fled the front lines, one of the unnamed soldiers said, many of them were tracked down and 70 of them faced criminal charges, while 30 were “locked up for a bloody two years or more”.

Instead of taking his frustration out on his AWOL comrades, the man scoffed at military officials who he said “once again” told all soldiers they would be thrown in jail if they left their positions for more than 48 hours, something that has apparently become a popular trend.

“Can you fucking believe we still have Kharkiv [to take]?” joked the other soldier.

“We still have Kiev,” his friend shot back.

“Shit, at least Kharkiv.”

“There’s Poltava, Sumy, Chernikhiv, shit! … You can’t even take Bakhmut!”

“There’s no equipment, there’s not a damn thing. Or there’s just no desire,’ said the other soldier.