Russian Commanders Use Maps From 1960s In Invading Ukraine

Russian forces used outdated maps of Ukraine from the 1960s when they began invading the country back in February, Ukrainian authorities said.

While they have modern registration numbers and even a classification label, the topographic maps of Ukraine used by Russia's 138th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade appeared to be made in 1969, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) said in a statement on its website.

These maps, which were seized by the SSU in previously occupied districts of the Kharkiv region, do not show a housing estate built in the early 1970s. The Travyanske and Muromske water reservoirs that were built around the same time period were also absent from the maps, according to the SSU.

In addition, the state border between Ukraine and Russia was not on the maps at all and had to be drawn with a ballpoint pen.

The Topographical Service of Russia’s Western Military District, headed by Col. Oleksiy Krasnov, as well as Russia's Geospatial Information and Navigation Center, are believed to have been responsible for the navigational support of the 138th Brigade.

These units celebrated the 210th anniversary of Russia's topographical service and declared that they were providing Russian military commanders with "state-of-the-art maps" produced using "the latest mobile navigation and geodesic complexes" on the eve of Russia's invasion, according to the SSU.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed the 138th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, which used these maps, in late March near the Kharkiv ring road in the direction of Starosaltivsʹka, the intelligence agency said.

Russian forces have been forced to rely on outdated Soviet-made equipment in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine following reports of losses and logistical problems, Ukrainian intelligence claimed.

Russia reportedly even pulled out decades-old T-62 tanks from its inventory, vehicles that first entered service in 1961.

Some of the aging equipment Russia is scrounging up could be devoted to security and other uses behind the lines instead of being deployed at the front.

Russia suffered 38,450 losses among its combat personnel between the start of the invasion on Feb. 24 and Monday, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence said in its most recent casualty report.

Losses also included 1,687 tanks, 3,886 armored fighting vehicles, 220 aircraft and 188 helicopters, among other pieces of equipment, according to the ministry.