2/ The pseudonymous 'Vault No. 8' comments that whereas the US has long understood the need to unburden senior officers, Russia "loaded them to the maximum, saying that the top brass knows better how to manage and distribute resources."

He provides "a few small details of this phenomenon in matters of supply," beginning with waybills to provide vehicles with fuel:

3/ "There is a separate sheet for each vehicle. Some sheets have separate points: permission to drive up to 200 km/h and drive at night."

Guess whose signature (and the official seal, of which there is still only one in the Zone, although each military unit has several command posts and drivers come to them all to fill out paperwork) is needed for permission for these special items?"

4/ "An amateur like me would say: the head of the vehicle service gives permission. It's logical, right? He's in charge of all the regiment's vehicles. No. That's not the right answer.

The next option: one of the regiment's deputy commanders? For example, the deputy logistics officer? No, that's not right."

5/ "You'll say: the regiment/brigade chief of staff, the second-highest authority in the regiment. That makes sense too – now, in 2022-2025, the chief of staff has become an administrator, senior to all the clerks (although he used to be responsible for preparing for battle along all the headquarters services, back in World War II, and what's more, back in Afghanistan)."