Russian Militarys Wariness: Why a Ceasefire is Viewed as a Tactical Mistake

The Russian military seems to doubt the 30-day ceasefire proposal from the United States regarding Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin raised “serious concerns” about Washington’s plan.

“A soldier with combat experience realizes that any break in combat provides a chance for Ukraine to strengthen its tactical positions,” a Russian serviceman shared with The Moscow Times.

“Everyone in the military views a temporary ceasefire as absolute nonsense; there’s no alternative at the front,” said the soldier, who requested to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

His perspective reflects a wider sentiment within the Russian armed forces that the conflict is unlikely to be resolved quickly, and that any halt in fighting would simply offer Kyiv a strategic advantage.

On Thursday, Putin stated that Moscow was open to discussing the ceasefire initiative with U.S. President Donald Trump, but emphasized that various “nuances” needed to be addressed.

He specifically questioned the feasibility of enforcing a ceasefire along a frontline that stretches for thousands of kilometers and raised concerns about the fate of Ukrainian troops located in Russia’s Kursk region.

“The president’s remarks underline a fundamental flaw in the U.S. proposal,” noted one of the prominent Russian military Telegram channels, Archangel of the Special Forces, which boasts 1,116,000 subscribers and identifies as “a channel for airborne troops.”

“Why should our leadership agree to a scenario that is clearly disadvantageous, achieving nothing more than allowing the enemy to regroup and return to the battlefield rejuvenated? Certainly, we will prevail, but at what price? The initiative on the battlefield rests solely with us,” the channel stated.

During a visit to Kursk this week, Putin commended Russia’s progress against Ukraine, reporting that troops were advancing on the front line.

Moscow has recently achieved some tactical victories, claiming to have expelled Ukrainian forces from the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region, which is viewed as a potential bargaining chip for Kyiv in territorial negotiations with Russia.

Pro-Kremlin war correspondent Alexander Kots interpreted Putin’s appearance in military attire during his visit to Kursk, as an indication that Russia is not contemplating a ceasefire.

“This isn’t about a ceasefire. It’s a message to our American ‘partners’ yet again, to our Ukrainian counterparts, and, crucially, to our military. There will be no betrayal,” Kots stated.

One Russian soldier told The Moscow Times that while “many troops are yearning for the war to end as they wish to avoid death or injury,” they have noticed that ceasefire discussions haven’t altered the realities on the ground.

“So far, there hasn’t been any order from military command to halt [military] preparations. Across all fronts—from Luhansk to Zaporizhzhia—fortifications are being strengthened,” he remarked, referring to his comrades at the front.

The soldier mentioned that he and his fellow troops keep abreast of developments on the battlefield through their phones, despite the military’s prohibition on bringing devices to the front lines.

Another Russian serviceman, considering the evolving geopolitical situation, expressed optimism that negotiations could ultimately ensure Russian control over the four regions of Ukraine annexed by the Kremlin in 2022.

Since seizing Crimea in 2014 and initiating a full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has occupied approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.

The pro-war Telegram channel Rybar, which has close affiliations with the Russian military and has over 1,323,000 subscribers, stated that Russia’s “response to the American proposal is quite straightforward: while the U.S. and its peacekeeping initiatives are an improvement over previous offers, there are certain nuances.”

“The main issue is [Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelensky’s declaration that mobilization will continue unabated and that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will keep receiving weapons. Therefore, the Kyiv regime will not create conditions conducive to an immediate ceasefire, let alone fulfill other Russian stipulations,” it added.

The pro-Russian Telegram channel Povernutyye na Voyne (Obsessed With War) also disseminated a message criticizing Ukraine: “In a scenario where one side presents unconditional ultimatums disguised as dialogue, reaching a peace settlement is impossible.”

“Hence, in the coming days, we can anticipate accusations from the U.S. concerning Russia’s lack of willingness to pursue peace, which is likely to escalate the conflict,” it warned.

Russian soldiers at the front are also not overly optimistic about a rapid conclusion to the war or the success of negotiations.

“No one expects to be back home by summer,” the soldier told The Moscow Times.

“Everyone is aware that we are in this for the long term.”