2/ The practice of commanders demanding bribes for leave has been reported previously. Interviews by Siberia.Reality (an offshoot of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty) suggest that it's widespread, and that Putin's promise of periodic leave is mostly being ignored.
Relatives of mobilised Russians complain that their men have not been allowed leave. In February 2023, Putin promised soldiers would get 14 days' leave every 6 months. In reality, men have gone as long as 10 months without leave.
3/ It's well established that this has a very bad impact on combat effectiveness. Sustained fighting led to 98 percent of Western Allied soldiers in WW2 becoming "psychiatric casualties" within 60 days. The Russian Army seems to be ignoring this.
https://mastodon.social/@ChrisO_wiki/110589387824639004
Relatives of mobilised soldiers from the 1439th regiment complained recently that their men were being forced to pay bribes of 100,000 rubles to be allowed to go on leave.
https://mastodon.social/@ChrisO_wiki/110584741821869655
3/ It's well established that this has a very bad impact on combat effectiveness. Sustained fighting led to 98 percent of Western Allied soldiers in WW2 becoming "psychiatric casualties" within 60 days. The Russian Army seems to be ignoring this.
https://mastodon.social/@ChrisO_wiki/110589387824639004