The alleged execution of Russian soldiers who refuse orders in Ukraine highlights the poor morale among Vladimir Putin’s troops and the desperation of Russia’s military leaders.

The White House claims that Russia is executing its own soldiers who refuse to follow orders and even threatening to kill entire units if they retreat from Ukrainian fire. US intelligence has reportedly seen several reports of poor morale among Vladimir Putin’s troops after 20 months of grueling war.

John Kirby, the US National Security Council spokesperson, called the alleged executions “reprehensible” and “barbaric.” He believes that this is a symptom of Russia’s military leaders’ poor performance and their mishandling of the conflict in Ukraine.

Throughout the conflict, the White House has released intelligence findings about Russia to inform Ukraine’s allies about Russia’s intentions and counter any misinformation from Putin’s government. These claims come as President Joe Biden seeks to secure more funding for Ukraine’s armed forces.

The low morale among Russian soldiers and the alleged executions highlight the desperation of Russia’s military leaders to make progress in the conflict. There have also been reports of the Wagner Group military contractor executing deserters and the deployment of “barrier troops” that threaten to shoot soldiers trying to flee.

Overall, this situation sheds light on the dire conditions and brutal tactics employed by Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.