Exhausted Russian Soldiers Insist on Expanding Control in Ukraine Despite War Fatigue

While diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine have focused on cease-fire proposals, many Russian soldiers and their nationalist supporters view these peace overtures as insufficient.

Interviews with eleven Russian troops currently or formerly engaged in combat in Ukraine reveal strong skepticism toward the recent direct peace talks, which were brief and yielded little progress. These soldiers reject an unconditional cease-fire put forward by Ukraine, insisting that Russian forces should continue fighting until they fully control the four southern and eastern Ukrainian regions claimed by Moscow but only partially occupied.

Sergei, a conscript fighting in the Donetsk region, expressed the sentiment of many, saying, “We are exhausted and want to return home. But we need to secure all the territories so we don’t have to fight over them again in the future. Otherwise, what was the sacrifice for?”

These interviews offer a rare glimpse into the mindset of Russian soldiers and highlight the domestic challenges facing Russia’s leadership if they attempt to end the war without achieving maximalist objectives. The rapid annexation of these regions early in the conflict has complicated Moscow’s negotiating position, as many within Russia would perceive any territorial concession as a defeat.

The soldiers, who served in various units and locations, voiced frustration toward government officials and civilians they accuse of benefiting from the war while disregarding the hardships endured on the front lines. Their statements underscore the difficulties Russia would encounter reintegrating veterans into civilian life and transitioning its economy away from a wartime footing.

Dmitri, a former paramilitary fighter in Ukraine, warned, “Imagine a million people trained to kill without fear of bloodshed. If these men see their leaders as unsupportive, it could become a serious problem.”

Some soldiers wrestle with their personal exhaustion and longing for peace but feel compelled to justify their sacrifices through a victorious outcome. Independent estimates suggest that more than a million Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or seriously wounded since the conflict began.

Another conscripted soldier named Dmitri admitted, “I’m caught in this chaos and frankly tired. I have no desire to keep suffering through this.”

Both Dmitri and Sergei were among the 300,000 Russian men conscripted in late 2022 as a response to a surprise Ukrainian counteroffensive. Their efforts helped stabilize the front and regain momentum for Russian forces.

Survivors have been held indefinitely at the front lines, while the military has extended all volunteer service contracts to maintain troop levels.

For the majority of Russian frontline soldiers, a peace agreement leading to demobilization represents the most viable path to returning home safely and intact.

The soldiers also criticized their lack of leave, widespread corruption among military leadership, and the indifference of civilians. Some accused military commanders and business elites of opposing peace talks because they profit from the war-driven economy.

Andrei, a volunteer soldier in Donetsk, lamented, “I recently saw a video of young people partying, dancing, and drinking all night while a war rages on. We have long stopped being heroes in their eyes.”

This growing resentment has turned control over the contested Ukrainian regions into a nonnegotiable objective for many Russian soldiers and their supporters, overshadowing earlier hopes that these territories might serve as bargaining chips in negotiations.

Yevgeniy, a contract soldier who fought until December 2023, stated, “We have demonstrated our strength. The entire world opposes us, yet they make little progress. I cannot accept any concessions after witnessing the cost of every inch of land.”

Following the invasion, Moscow staged referendums in four Ukrainian provinces where fighting has been heaviest, claiming overwhelming support for annexation. However, after three years of conflict, Russia maintains near-total control only in Luhansk. In Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, Russian forces control between 65 and 75 percent of the territory.

Throughout much of the war, Kyiv has refused to cede any land to Russia, demanding restoration of its internationally recognized borders and security guarantees before any cease-fire. More recently, President Volodymyr Zelensky has softened his stance, indicating willingness to accept a cease-fire without security guarantees, effectively freezing the front lines and conceding some occupied territory.

This proposal is viewed by many in Ukraine and the West as a significant concession that risks legitimizing Russian aggression and leaving millions under occupation.

However, interviews and public opinion data from Russia indicate that such a truce would also fail to satisfy a large segment of Russian society. Years of propaganda and incremental battlefield gains have convinced many that the conflict is existential and must continue until Ukraine surrenders.

Nikolai, a Russian soldier, said, “If there’s no cease-fire now, we must keep fighting until the very end. Otherwise, the war will return in five or ten years.”

Kyiv and its allies share this concern, warning that a peace deal lacking Western security guarantees could invite renewed Russian aggression.

From the beginning, Russia’s stated war aims included the “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine, implying the removal of Kyiv’s government, blocking NATO accession, and protecting Russian-speaking populations, whom Moscow claims were at risk of genocide.

An independent Russian poll in April found nearly half of respondents opposed any peace deal that fell short of these original objectives, underscoring the difficulty of framing the current situation as a victory domestically.

While the Russian leadership wields absolute control over media narratives, allowing them to portray any outcome positively initially, an unsatisfactory peace could sow discontent reminiscent of the 2023 Wagner mutiny.

Officials may recall the Soviet Union’s troubled withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, which angered veterans and contributed to the USSR’s collapse, as well as public dissatisfaction after the Chechen wars that helped bring the current Russian leader to power.

Dmitri, the former paramilitary fighter, summarized the dilemma: “Of course, I want a cease-fire — even a bad peace is better than a good war. But we have made such significant advances that stopping now would feel like a betrayal.”

He added, “Otherwise, is this all just a game? Has the leadership sacrificed a million lives for nothing?”

“That would not be the mark of a good government,” he concluded.