“Who will fight if the military buys everything with their own money and feels pressure from commanders?”: Igor Lutsenko from the front line

Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, which is already in its fourth year, servicemen have been constantly faced with a lack of basic items needed to perform their tasks. We are talking about both technical means and ammunition, elementary household items that ensure survival in the positions: film, staples, sand, bags, generators, power units, communication, food. All this often has to be bought at one’s own expense. At the same time, both the state and international partners regularly allocate significant financial resources to support the Armed Forces. However, questions continue to be asked at the front: where does this money go and why are defenders forced to carry everything on themselves?

In his post from the frontline, Ihor Lutsenko, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, aerial scout and writer, puts question: who will fight in this army if they have to buy everything at their own expense and at the same time face constant pressure and depreciation from the command.

He describes a specific situation that happened at the position: the chief of artillery came to the unit, assessed the conditions, saw dugouts, caponiers, cover, equipment protected and masked by nets, power supply, bought at his own expense, but instead of noting the result, he went to complain to the higher up.

“And so, after he left, 15 minutes later the circus begins: “And who is the senior? And who is in the position? And why do you have everything rubbish? And why don’t you have the wheels of the cannon covered with sandbags so that they don’t get cut by shrapnel?”. And we don’t know where to get those bags. There is no bag shop here. And no one sells sand here either – you have to bring it. That is, you can’t fix it quickly.” – writes Lutsenko.

Lutsenko emphasizes that at that moment one wanted to hear at least one word of gratitude or support, but instead there was scrutiny and indignation due to minor shortcomings that are physically impossible to eliminate without materials and transport, which are not there and cannot be.

As the military man explains, the entire logistics of household equipment is actually based on the military’s personal money. At their expense, two EcoFlow power units, wiring, electricity, generator, film, staples, as well as two sets of Starlink were purchased – one for the position, the other for the rear house. What’s more, the fighters themselves buy food for themselves – and in return they do not receive even the symbolic payments that are provided for combat operations. He emphasizes that this is not an exceptional situation, but a norm that no longer causes surprise, but does not cease to demoralize.

At the same time, as Lutsenko notes, instead of at least morally supporting the unit, the leadership prefers not to speak directly, and after the visits, the positions begin to put pressure on the command, putting forward claims.  The conditions in which the unit lives force full autonomy, but even then the command hears not words of support, but complaints.

Lutsenko is not surprised why we have so many demotivated people. A soldier who sets up a position at his own expense, feeling neither support nor protection, loses faith not in the war, but in his own army as an organization. He points to a complete lack of feedback culture: instead of just approaching, thanking, shaking hands, providing moral support, the officers go to the headquarters and spread the word about the commander. Even this would not be as painful as complete silence or pointing out the shortcomings where everything is made from scratch by the hands and at the expense of the military themselves. This completely eliminates the motivation to continue serving.

“I’m already silent about the awards. Just come and say: “Damn, you guys are handsome”. Shake hands and leave quietly, so you don’t get shot yet.” – the soldier is indignant.

So, Ihor Lutsenko asks the question: who will remain in the army if everyone who fights feels guilty and devalued? He notes that currently the only thing that is provided centrally is ammunition, and not always. Everything else, including everyday life, means of communication, protection, intelligence, camouflage, comfort — is placed on the shoulders of the soldiers themselves, their families and volunteers.

“Who will fight in this army? You only give BC, sometimes some kind of winter uniform. And there is no way of life at all,” – summed up the military.