More than 200,000 people have been mobilized into the Russian army since the announcement of a mobilisation ” partial “ on September 21, 2022 for the offensive in Ukraine, the Minister of Defense indicated on Tuesday, October 4, at a time when the forces of Moscow are in difficulty.
“As of today, more than 200,000 people have joined the army,” said Sergei Shoigu at a meeting, quoted by Russian news agencies.
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Officially, this mobilization, ordered by President Vladimir Putin, should make it possible to recruit 300,000 reservists having military experience or useful skills, while the Russian army is in trouble on the Ukrainian front.
“The training of the personnel of the (new) formed units is carried out on 80 military fields and in six training centers”, indicated Sergeï Choïgou, during a government meeting, assuring that these recruits will be sent to the front with other units having already fought in Ukraine.
Many volunteers, according to the ministry
According to him, “an important name” people presented themselves voluntarily to military police stations in the country, before having received an official mobilization order. However, he did not give their number.
But the mobilization has also aroused strong concerns in Russia and opposition demonstrations in certain regions. It also prompted tens of thousands of men to leave the country hastily to avoid enlistment.
Multiple cases of mobilization by mistake of ineligible men – students, people too old or sick – have also been reported and condemned by the Kremlin.
On Tuesday, the Russian Minister of Defense once again assured that no soldier performing his compulsory military service will be sent to the Ukrainian front, while the authorities began on October 1 the so-called conscription “autumn” which aims to mobilize 120,000 soldiers.