Russia banning senior officials from resigning amid Ukraine invasion, UK says
Russia is likely banning its senior officials from resigning from their jobs while the invasion of Ukraine continues, according to UK intelligence.
In the latest defence intelligence update on Twitter, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said the "measures likely extend to at least regional leaders, security officials and members of the powerful Presidential Administration".
"In private, many officials are likely highly sceptical about the war, as well as often experiencing work stress within the dysfunctional wartime apparatus," the update said.
"The ban is likely enforced with strong hints that resignees will face trumped-up criminal charges.
"As well as being concerned about capability gaps resignees would leave, the authorities are likely also attempting to prevent any impression of defeatism, and to bolster a sense of collective responsibility for the war."
Western officials say Ukraine is approaching an increased "state of readiness" to launch its expected counteroffensive against Russia's invasion.
Ukrainian troops have "much higher" morale than Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces as they gear up to free territories within their country's borders, the officials suggested.
Earlier this week, the MOD said Ukrainian forces had made "tactical progress" on the flanks of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.
The MOD did say, however, mercenaries of Russia's Wagner Group are continuing to make "gradual progress" in clearing Ukrainian positions in the town centre.
The battle for Bakhmut has been the longest in the war so far.
Join Our Newsletter
