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UK Ministry of Defense alleges Russian soldiers fighting with “shovels”

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It is highly possible that Russian soldiers are fighting with shovels “hand-to-hand” combat against Ukrainian forces due to an ammunition shortage, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

During a Russian attack on a Ukrainian stronghold in February, Russian reservist troops were equipped with only “firearms and shovels”, the MoD said during an update on Sunday.

The update said that the shovel being used was an MPL-50, which was designed in 1869 and the design hasn’t evolved since then.

The MoD said this “highlights the brutal and low-tech fighting” and sums up the invasion so far.

One of the reservists said they were “neither physically nor psychologically” prepared for combat, the update also noted.

“Recent evidence suggests an increase in close combat in Ukraine,” it said.

“This is probably a result of the Russian command continuing to insist on offensive action largely consisting of dismounted infantry, with less support from artillery fire because Russia is short of munitions.”

The MoD did not disclose where the battle involving shovels occurred.

A lack of ammo for Russian soldiers has been highlighted by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is of the Russian paramilitary organization, Wagner Group.

Last month Prigozhin posted a picture on Telegram showing the bodies of a few dozen Wagner fighters, who were lying dead in a courtyard.

The caption that went along with the picture was a formal request from Wagner for more ammunition.  The Wagner Group directly blamed the Russian Ministry of Defence for the loss of lives.

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: LUKE MOCHERMAN

PHOTO CREDIT: CZECHIA POSTS ENGLISH

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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