This week, Ukraine launched new attacks against Russian forces on the Crimean peninsula. Russian tourists fled the scene in droves. At the same time, the news came that Putin is taking further steps to increase the military forces.
Currently, the conscription age for Russian men is 18 to 27, and it was expected to change to between 21 and 30.
But on Friday, the state news agency Tass stated that the minimum age will remain 18, while the upper limit will be increased to 30.
– Will be a formidable force
– Lots of alcohol and smoking
The Duma, the national assembly in Russia, has not adopted any changes yet, but Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu already announced last year that an increase in the conscription age to 30 could come.
The change will give a sharp increase in access to Russian soldiers. However, Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug is clear that the change will not necessarily be a strength.
– The weakness is that you will bring in significantly more people who are not physically fit for military service. Young Russians in their 20s are in better shape than those in their 30s, particularly because the male population in Russia is rapidly declining in health due to heavy alcohol consumption and smoking. They will bring in soldiers who are less suitable, but they will be able to fill the holes in the trenches, says Dalhaug.
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Uncertainty about mobilization
Exactly how many Russians are currently participating in the war against Ukraine is unknown. Earlier this week there were reports that 100,000 Russian soldiers and 900 tanks had been mobilized to the north-eastern parts of Ukraine.
Dalhaug says he considers it not credible, as the areas have not been a focus for Putin in the past. The figure has also not been confirmed by independent sources.
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Last autumn, however, it was announced in a decree from Putin that 120,000 Russians would be called up to serve in the Russian armed forces during the autumn.
The call-up applied to combat-ready Russians aged 18 to 27 at the time, who had to report for military service in November or December, the news agency reported RIA Novosti.
2023-07-22 13:09:40
#soldier #move #Weakened #alcohol
