Russian outlets are exaggerating that Ukrainian troops are stuck in the mud to cheer up Putin's soldiers, UK intel says

• Russian media is exaggerating the mud's impact on Ukrainian forces, UK intel reports.
• Their goal is "aimed at raising Russian morale" and "undermining Ukraine's supporters," intel says.

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces has slowed down thanks to thick, wet mud in the region — and Russian media outlets are likely exaggerating the impact of the mud on Kyiv's troops in order to raise the morale of the Kremlin's soldiers, new UK intelligence suggests.

According to an update from the UK Ministry of Defense, "soft ground conditions across most of Ukraine" including "severe mud" is likely slowing down operations for both sides in the brutal conflict.

Russian outlets, however, appear to be "exaggerating the overall impact of mud on Ukrainian forces," UK intel said.

Intelligence suggests the outlets are trying to cheer up Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops and raise their flagging morale while "undermining Ukraine's supporters" ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Unverified videos and pictures of the mud on the battlefield have been posted across Twitter and Telegram. Some, according to The EurAsian Times, show Ukrainian tanks getting "bogged down" in the mud.

One Russian commander told RIA Novosti, a Russian state-affiliated outlet, that Putin's forces had captured a German-made Leopard tank in mud and "drowned it in a swamp," according to The EurAsian Times.

And Russian state news agency TASS interviewed a retired Russian colonel who suggested waiting until the land dries before launching attacks to prevent either side of the war from getting "stuck in the mud" and losing "the ability to maneuver quickly."