Thread by @sambendett

1/ QUICK THREAD about some of the communications problems still encountered by the Russian forces in Ukraine - from a pro-Kremlin Telegram channel. Main points below: t.me/dva_majors/184…

2/ "Nothing infuriates a commander more than the inability to get through to a subordinate. The problem objectively (still) exists and is not fully resolved at the systemic level. Every second or third volunteer donation is dealing in one way or another with comms tech..."

3/ "...the requirements for comms tech are constantly growing. (Chinese-made) "Baofengs" (radios) often no longer meet the needs of the forces due to enemy EW threat, (Russian-made) "Azart" radio systems still don't work well. And we do not just judge by volunteer efforts."

4/ "In the most difficult combat areas, soldiers and officers write about the lack of communication with artillery, the lack of spare communication methods. One request (to volunteers) is to find a TA-57 - old telephone for field wired communication with a rotary knob."

5/ "At the same time, the enemy uses electronic warfare, decoys cell towers on their front line, and aims them at ours. He knows about the Russian officer Telegram chats and understands: this is a spare (and often the main) channel for our command and control."

6/ "In general, the problem seems to be very serious and it needs to be solved at the system level. Volunteers bought (huge thanks to them) hundreds, if not thousands, of radio stations - they are all different, with different levels of security, range, and so on."

7/ According to this Telegram post, massive OPSEC issues still persist across the Russian forces a year and a half in to this invasion.