[imagesource: YouTube / VICE]

Almost from the first moment Russia invaded Ukraine, cracks in the former’s military began to appear.

Interrupted radio signals from as far back as March showed Russian troops in total disarray and it wasn’t long before Ukrainians were sharing footage of captured tanks and mocking Vladimir Putin’s footsoldiers.

The Russian president doesn’t take kindly to being embarrassed on the global stage and Ukrainians were subjected to war crimes that will live in infamy for generations to come.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his citizens would not back down, though, and the tide has turned dramatically.

The next month will be vital with the Ukrainian military having a window of opportunity to make gains against Russia’s army in the south and the northeast.

Soon, the weather will turn and muddy ground and cloud cover will likely force the opposing armies to pause and regroup.

Another turning point was the forced conscription of roughly 300 000 Russian citizens by the Kremlin. Many have little interest in taking part in the war and the cracks are widening.

VICE has taken a closer look at this pushback from feet on the ground:

Russian soldiers are banned from using their smartphones. But a lack of discipline and a desire for attention means they use them anyway. Their posts online provide a wealth of data about their side of the war.

Journalist, ​​Mark Krutov, uses this information to track the locations and movements of Russian troops, as well as their low morale and sinking mood.

The major worry remains Putin totally losing it and pushing the big red button, which he has repeatedly threatened.

As his troops continue to face defiance from Ukraine, and the mood darkens, he may see that as his only option.

[source:vice]