Russian troops are divided as Putin suffers from Ukrainian counteroffensive: US source

Russia’s military is divided on how best to counter Ukraine’s unexpected advances on the battlefield this month, according to several sources familiar with US intelligence, as Moscow found itself on the defensive in both the east and south. .

Russian President Vladimir Putin himself is giving instructions directly to generals in the field, two sources familiar with US and Western intelligence said — a highly unusual management tactic in a modern army that these sources say suggests the structure of dysfunctional command that plagued Russia’s war from the start.

The intelligence intercepts captured Russian officials arguing among themselves and complaining to friends and relatives about Moscow’s decision-making, one such source told CNN .

And there are significant differences in strategy with military leaders struggling to agree on where to focus their efforts to bolster defensive lines, said several sources familiar with US intelligence.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has said it is redeploying forces to Kharkiv in the northeast — where Ukraine has made the most dramatic gains — but US and Western sources say most Russian troops still remain in the south, where Ukraine has also mounted operations. offensives around Kherson.

So far, Russia has responded to Ukraine’s advances by launching attacks on critical infrastructure such as dams and power plants — attacks the US sees as “revenge” attacks rather than operationally significant salvos, one source said.

Putin’s mobilization order is significant because it is a direct acknowledgment that Moscow’s “special military operation” was not working and needed to be adjusted, military analysts said.

Barbara Starr and Tim Lister of CNN contributed to this report.