– We have indications that Russia has begun to mobilize reserve soldiers, and that they will try to recruit more than 60,000 reserve soldiers in total.
It claims a senior official in the US military to Reuters.
The officer, who spoke anonymously, would not comment on how successful this recruitment would be, or where the reserve soldiers would go.
UKRAINE: Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt expects Ukraine to comment on an incident captured on video, which is apparently to show Ukrainian soldiers abusing Russian prisoners of war. Video: Håvard Tanche-Larsen Knutsen / Ivan Larsson view more
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Not surprised
The statement does not surprise Lieutenant Colonel and head teacher at the War School, Palle Ydstebø.
He tells Dagbladet that there have been several reports about this from the Ukrainian General Staff and several media in the past that the Russians are actively recruiting professional soldiers.
– It has been reported that this recruitment has been prepared, so this report is absolutely true, says Ydstebø.
If the news is true, the lieutenant colonel believes that the Russians are sending a clear signal that there are plans for a long war.
– LONG WAR: If the Russians recruit 60,000 reserve soldiers, Lieutenant Colonel Palle Ydstebø believes that the war in Ukraine can last a long time. Photo: The Armed Forces view more
– Lost more than they imagined
– It obviously depends on who they get, and what kind of military education they want to give the reserve soldiers, but it indicates that they will try to achieve something bigger than what they have already achieved. If the Russians are to take control of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, far more than 60,000 troops are required.
He also questions how realistic this is to achieve, given the loss figures that have emerged so far.
– The Russian forces have probably lost even more than they imagined when the invasion took place a little over five weeks ago, says Ydstebø.
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No «cannon fodder»
If the Russians start this recruitment, it will still take a while before they will be in place, he believes.
– It depends a bit on how picky the Russians are, but they can be set up at a suitably good level in three to four weeks. There are several possibilities for how the reserve soldiers can be used, among other things they can free other soldiers, says the lieutenant colonel.
– Do you think that the new soldiers can be used as “cannon fodder”?
– No, it’s practically impossible. The Russian defense also has a limit on the number of soldiers. At the same time, they probably also have a number of sensors in society who indicate that it would not have been wise.
