Ukraine war: Russia's corruption is 'no doubt' affecting its military's combat performance

Russia has suffered significant logistical and strategic issues, but videos and photos on social media of captured equipment show poor maintenance and quality.

FILE - Russian 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzers roll toward Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, May 9, 2021, marking the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the largest conflict that Europe has seen since World War II, with Russia conducting a multi-pronged offensive across the country. The Russian military has pummeled wide areas in Ukraine with air strikes and has conducted massive rocket and artillery bombardment resulting in massive casualties.  (AP Photo, File) ( ) Russian army soldier wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus infection marches during a military parade rehearsal in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II was rescheduled from the Victory Day in May 9 to June 24 due to coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) ( ) Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II winter uniforms wait to take a part in a reconstruction of a World War II-era parade in Moscow's Red Square, Russia, on Thursday. (AP)

But more troubling for Russian troops would be the shortcomings in supplies and equipment: Pictures on social media indicate that troops carried rations that had expired in 2015, and the equipment appears dated, with radio communications transmitting over open channels and lacking long-range capabilities. Tanks and vehicles abandoned during combat show evidence of poor maintenance and care.