Vladimir Putin's Kremlin personnel are reportedly succumbing to heightened stress from the protracted Ukraine conflict, turning to alcohol in increasing numbers to cope, according to recent revelations obtained by Radar Online.

As the Russian incursion into Ukraine rapidly approaches its 16-month milestone, insiders report that there has been a significant uptick in alcohol consumption among Putin's staff. The Ukraine crisis, which commenced in February 2022, seems to have triggered this alarming shift in habits.

"A morning shot of vodka wasn't part of everyone's routine previously," shared a source with a Russian newspaper now operating from abroad, as cited by the Daily Mail. "Now, I see more people resorting to it, and for some, the shot glass has given way to an entire bottle."

Adding to the disturbing narrative are rumors that Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and a current Putin ally, has fallen into heavy drinking since Russia deployed its forces into Ukraine last year.

Two Kremlin sources have further alleged that Medvedev is often inebriated when he posts his acidic commentary about Ukraine and the perceived Western "atrocities" on Telegram.

Simultaneously, the alcohol consumption at official state dinners is said to have risen, a testament to the heightened stress permeating the Kremlin due to Russia's strained invasion of Ukraine.

"In the past, an individual at state banquets would be served no more than a bottle of wine or vodka," divulged an anonymous Kremlin official recently.

"However, the usual quantity has increased since the Ukraine invasion," the insider added. "Now, each person at the banquet is offered between 1.5 to 2 bottles of wine or vodka."

Previous reports on RadarOnline.com have implicated Putin's military in excessive drinking, to the point where it is purportedly undermining their effectiveness in the protracted and violent confrontation with Ukraine.

A report published by the British Ministry of Defense earlier this year underscored the widespread issue of alcohol abuse among Russian troops stationed at the war front.

"The Russian military leadership likely recognizes the harmful effects of rampant alcohol consumption on combat readiness," stated the Ministry of Defense's April report.

"Nonetheless," the report elaborated, "given that excessive drinking is a pervasive societal issue in Russia, it is often viewed as an unspoken component of military life, even during combat operations."