'We have to buy everything ourselves,' say under-equipped Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine

Russian soldiers headed to Ukraine have had to buy equipment with their own money, including boots, body armor and first aid-equipment.

One soldier stationed in western Russia said those being sent to fight in Ukraine were being provided almost no equipment.

“We have to buy everything ourselves, with our own money. I'm not even talking about modern body armor and helmets: there are no warm clothes, no dry rations or first-aid kits,” he told The Moscow Times on condition of anonymity.

“All the equipment we are fighting with in Ukraine stinks of mothballs, and the weapons jam.”

Another, a contractor with the Russian National Guard, Rosgvardia, said he was offered a monthly salary of about 200,000 rubles (roughly $3,400) but that they would have to purchase all their gear themselves.

“If they issue you a field uniform, you’re in luck — you can save some money. We still have to buy the jacket and pants, at least as a change of clothing… I'll be happy if our outlay on the uniforms pays off and we don't get screwed out of our paycheck,” he said, also anonymously.

He said that proper equipment, including Level 4 body armor that can stop rifle rounds, a tactical vest, helmet, two “decent” pairs of boots and any personal clothing, would cost the entire first month’s pay.

On the other hand, Russian online military stores and suppliers say demand for body armor, helmets and uniforms have been through the roof – and so have profits.

“A lot of guys want to fight. I barely have time to put up an ad when I sell out. I don’t just sell used equipment. I have helmets, ballistic-proof uniforms and tactical vests,” said Ilya, a military equipment seller on the popular Russian online marketplace Avito.

Ilya, who did not give his last name, said the equipment he sells is military-grade but rejected because of small defects.

You can also purchase the Russian army’s standard Ratnik kit on Avito, which the soldiers interviewed by The Moscow Times said they were never issued.

Russian forces invading Ukraine have been plagued by logistic issues, which some analysts say is the reason they failed to take the capital of Kyiv. This and their lack of progress in the country has led to low morale, which has led some Russian soldiers to refuse orders, sabotage their own equipment and even accidentally shooting down their own aircraft.