Helmetless Russian Troops — What’s Putin Thinking?

Russian troops are being sent into combat without helmets or armor, a move that underscores the desperation and dysfunction within Moscow’s military strategy.

Story Highlights

Russian forces deployed without basic protective gear, leading to high casualty rates.
Economic constraints and supply chain failures blamed for equipment shortages.
Ukrainian commanders document and confirm the practice with video evidence.

Russian Troops Facing Dire Conditions

On November 29, 2025, The Telegraph reported that Russian military forces are increasingly deploying troops into combat along the Lyman axis in eastern Ukraine without essential protective equipment like helmets and body armor. This alarming development, documented by Ukrainian military commanders through video evidence and firsthand accounts, reflects a significant tactical shift that has intensified over recent months.

The lack of protective gear among Russian assault troops highlights severe supply chain failures and economic constraints. These issues have led the Russian military to rely heavily on mass infantry assaults despite catastrophic casualty rates. The deployment of unequipped soldiers is not only a tactical decision but also a reflection of Russia’s broader economic problems and inability to fully supply its front lines.

Systemic Issues Behind the Front Lines

Igor Komok, a deputy commander in Ukraine’s 2nd Mechanized Battalion, has quantified the situation, noting that “of the twenty battalions that recently went to the assault, only four had helmets.” This indicates the systematic nature of the practice, which has become widespread across multiple front sectors. Ukrainian forces continue to repel these assaults, maintaining their defensive positions despite constant pressure.

Dmytro Zhmailo, a security expert at the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, attributes these equipment shortages to Russia’s economic struggles and the scale of losses exceeding the military’s supply capacity. The practice of deploying inadequately equipped troops demonstrates a fundamental mismatch between casualty rates and logistical capacity.

Implications for Russian Military Strategy

The deployment of unequipped soldiers has immediate tactical consequences, including high casualty rates among assault forces and minimal territorial gains. This approach also demoralizes troops aware of their expendable status. The continued reliance on mass infantry assaults without adequate protection suggests structural constraints limiting Russia’s ability to sustain prolonged conflict.

In the long term, this practice may lead to the exhaustion of Russia’s trained personnel reserves and further degrade its military effectiveness. The reliance on punishment-based deployment systems and poorly equipped forces reflects a desperation to maintain offensive momentum at the cost of soldier welfare.