Ukraine Police released screenshots from a Telegram group belonging to the Russian army officers, created 3 days after the start of the war. Screenshots reveal internal discussions and Russian shock in the early stages of the war🧵 
Early message exchanges on 27-28 February include Russian officers listing casualties and attempting to find each other. Not everyone got killed - many troops wandered off due to lack of comms.
One soldier reports he had to take duties as a battalion commander since his 'kombat' vanished. Another Russian soldier shared photos of a smashed up column which took significant damage.
They also shared thoughts on the methods of using conscripts in the invasion.
They also shared thoughts on the methods of using conscripts in the invasion.
As the situation greatly deteriorated for Russians in late March, officers continued looking for their friends but also shared internal scuffles between high command and officers which resulted in some of the latter taken away by FSB.w
This conversation proves a number of facts and assumptions we've known from the start of the war - many Russians had no idea they were going to a war; they started taking immense losses from the start; scuffles and shock within the ranks continue to this day.
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