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If the war in Ukraine goes on for longer, more and more Russian troops will lose their morale, surrender or run off, said Latvian National Armed Forces chief psychologist, certified military and clinical psychologist Vilnis Čerņavskis in an interview to Latvian Ministry of Defence internet portal sargs.lv.
Looking at the morale of Russian occupation forces, the psychologist said not all Russian troops knew where they were headed and what their objectives are when they were sent to Ukraine. This is true for the troops that are, according to information available in the information space, troops under compulsory military service who have never performed military functions, have never been in hot spots and are very young.
This lets the psychologist conclude that the morale and psychological preparedness of Russian troops very low.
The psychologist explained that a person’s psyche matures at around 25 years. This is why the question stands what these young men who, according to him, weren’t even properly trained beforehand, even understand in this situation. They were mislead, and they definitely weren’t prepared for such intense resistance from Ukraine.
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These troops thought they would be welcomed like they were in 2014, when Russia first invaded Ukraine – many Ukrainian units surrendered and offered no resistance – says Latvian army specialist. They assumed the situation would be the same, that they would be welcomed with open arms, but the reality turned out different. Some Russian troops refuse to fight because they believe Ukrainians are their brother nation that lives nearby, says Čerņavskis.
He is certain that it is nothing surprising that Russia is looking for mercenaries in other countries – it is because they understand it is impossible to use psychologically unprepared people in this war.
At the same time, not all of those troops are in compulsory military service – some joined the army voluntarily and want to fight. There are also different special units that have psychologically prepared troops. These men are ready to go and kill.
«One thing is clear – the longer this war goes on, the more troops will appear who do not want it and will surrender or run,» said the qualified army psychologist.
Čerņavskis does point out that looters who have tasted blood are already active in Ukraine. Looking in the future, they are the next mercenaries, vagrants and bandits who will become a thorn in the side of Vladimir Putin’s regime, because after this bloody war they will return to Russia. They won’t be able to adapt to peaceful life after this, he claims.
Čerņavskis also mentioned in this interview that after this war there will be many psychologically ruined people on both sides. Psychological traumas can last a very long time – for children, women, all people who experienced this war.
Army psychologist: if war in Ukraine lasts longer, more and more Russian troops will give up, surrender or run off
