Russian Soldiers Use Carpets, Twigs As Camouflage In 'Breathtaking Degree Of Amateurism'

Russian soldiers are using carpets and twigs to avoid detection amid the war in Ukraine, a move that some analysts said showed signs of amateurism.

A video circulating on social media showed Russian soldiers taking cover behind a cluster of idle armored transports during a fight. The flank of one of the transports appeared to be covered with a patchwork of pine saplings.

In another video shared on social media, Russian troops were shown attempting to cover a vehicle with rugs and other types of heavy cloth.

According to other reports, Russian units were also spotted outfitting their transport vehicles with twigs, branches and shrubbery in an attempt to conceal them from tactical drones.

Mike Jason, a retired U.S. Army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the soldiers could be attempting to reduce or distort heat signatures, which attracts anti-armor weapons. The altered signature may make it more difficult for gunners to distinguish between an armored vehicle and a civilian car.

However, some analysts said the videos only showed a “breathtaking degree of amateurism,” according to The Washington Post. The publication also noted that while gunners may have difficulties targeting Russian vehicles covered in cloth, a trained scout can easily use a thermal scope and binoculars to pick up any evidence of enemy activity. Additionally, drones and satellite imagery can easily distinguish armored vehicles, even if they are camouflaged.

Experts say the Russian soldiers’ lack of modern camouflage netting is the latest of a string of mistakes that Russia has made since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Analysts also pointed to the tendency of Russian soldiers to speak on unsecured radios and phones, a move that has allowed enemy intelligence to intercept communications.

One key piece of information garnered from the intercepted calls between Russian soldiers was that 50% of Russian soldiers were suffering from frostbite on their feet. Enemy intelligence also found out that low morale among Russian troops led one soldier to drive a tank over his commanding officer who he blamed for the huge number of losses in his unit.

In addition to the intercepted calls and poor camouflage tactics, Russian military planners are also failing to distribute enough food and fuel to their troops. This has led some to abandon the battlefield, while others have surrendered to Ukraine.