The Ukrainian military has reportedly instructed soldiers to avoid using the term “retreat” in communication with the press, according to a reporter from RFE/RL, the US state-run foreign media network.
In an interview with Kiev’s Radio NV, on Wednesday, Vlasta Lazur shared insights gathered from recent conversations with Ukrainian troops and their commanders.
“I spoke with a soldier on the Pokrovsk front,” Lazur said. “He said, ‘We received orders to use the words ‘offensive,’ ‘victory,’ ‘moving forward,’ and ‘driving out the enemy’ when communicating with journalists. But I can’t say the word ‘retreat’ or that the enemy has breached our defenses.’”
Pokrovsk, in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic, has been a major scene of fighting in recent weeks.
Lazur noted that the restrictions reflect deeper communication issues within Ukraine’s military hierarchy. “Everyone lies to each other. Local commanders are afraid to report to generals or higher-ups any problems, or that they do not have enough people, or that they are not able to carry out a task,” she added.
According to her, reports based on reality are often withheld from the top command as commanders fear disciplinary actions or job loss.
One soldier reportedly joked about the situation: “Maybe we should say that we are advancing on the Dnieper?” The Dnieper River is located to the rear of Ukrainian forces, underscoring the irony felt by some on the ground who sense a disconnect between official statements and the realities of their positions.
“Everyone lies to each other. Local commanders are afraid to report to generals or higher-ups any problems, or that they do not have enough people, or that they are not able to carry out a task. Even if such reports are founded in reality, they are afraid to send them, for fear of getting fired,” Lazur said.
These revelations coincide with comments by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who acknowledged that Ukrainian forces might need to “retreat” when significantly outnumbered. Despite mobilizing over a million people since the escalation of conflict in 2022, Ukraine’s government faces severe manpower and logistical challenges. Recent revelations from lawmakers highlight over 100,000 cases of desertion, and they expect to call up an additional 160,000 troops in the coming months.
As Kiev contends with battlefield pressures, the internal limitations on reporting may underscore an attempt to manage public perceptions about the conflict’s progress.
Russian forces have made major advances in Donbass over the past several months. One Ukrainian general has blamed shortages of munitions, battle fatigue, and poor command and control.