Putin’s troops rely on equipment bought and donated by civilians

After only three months of conflict, Russia’s air force is resorting to crowdfunding to raise funds for basic equipment needed to continue operations in Ukraine.

Images from the Russian aviation Telegram channel Fighterbomber showed a variety of radios, torches, binoculars, and even pilot helmets, visors, and oxygen masks that had been funded or sourced by some of the channel’s 125,000 subscribers.

A squadron of Russian pilots can be seen posing in front of a worn Su-25 fighter jet with a variety of crowdfunded equipment, including their pilots’ helmets, in one image.

One pilot was compelled to wear a pair of running shoes because he lacked military-issue boots, demonstrating the extent to which Russia’s armed forces have been deprived of basic equipment.

Many of the messages on the pro-war channel expressed support for the crowdfunding campaign and wished the Russian pilots and military luck.

Other users, on the other hand, openly chastised Russia’s military commanders for allowing their men to be so ill-prepared.

‘I don’t know what to say… the generals and their plebeians have been squandering the military budget for years; now ordinary people must rally behind their army and assist it with supplies!’ One subscribed channel left a comment.

Even in the early days of the conflict, there were frequent allegations of Russian soldiers being sent into fight with outdated weaponry, inadequate rations, and little to no medical supplies.