The Ukrainian military has unveiled what could be Russia’s next big move to gain a tactical advantage on the battlefield.
In a social media post, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Moscow could soon launch a massive mobilization campaign to strengthen its depleted force in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin could reportedly try to recruit hundreds of thousands of soldiers from inside Russia and occupied Ukraine for a renewed push against the war-torn nation.
Without providing evidence to support its assertion, the general staff estimated that the number to be mobilized could range from 400,000 to 700,000.
The figures include around 40,000 residents of the Chechen Republic who are allegedly set to be drafted and be used as “barrier units” behind Russian troops.
“Ordinary citizens – residents of Russian regions – will once again go to the front as ‘cannon fodder’ and be pushed to their deaths by Kadyrov’s executioners,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine claimed.
Depleted Force
In October last year, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu announced the mobilization of more than 300,000 troops to be deployed in Ukraine.
The move received heavy criticism from the public, especially due to reports of the elderly, ill, and students being called up.
Putin also increased the maximum age at which Russian men can be mobilized to serve in the military from 65 to 70.
This strengthened the rumor that Moscow is already suffering from a depleted force, mainly due to Ukraine’s stiff counter-offensive.
However, a recent intelligence report from Kyiv’s military spy agency stated that Russia still has 420,000 servicemen inside Ukraine.
