Putin's decree hints at protracted military mobilisation
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has signed a decree concerning the conscription of citizens into the reserve, indicating potential preparations for a prolonged conflict. Alexei Zhuravlyov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defence Committee, emphasises the need to mobilise the entire male population of Russia, despite the likely disapproval from the public.
Vladimir Putin has just signed the decree, and the new law has come into effect immediately. This is the first such measure in 20 years, which may hint at preparations for a prolonged conflict with Western countries. Alexei Zhuravlyov highlighted that it is necessary to ready "the entire male population of Russia" for possible mobilisation.
In the conflict with Ukraine, the Russian armed forces, including paratroopers, marines, and GRU special forces, have endured significant losses. The operation to capture Kyiv, intended to last just three days, has now stretched to three years, with Russians suffering painful losses daily.
Elite units were forced to retreat for reformation, their positions filled by units consisting of prisoners and forcibly mobilised citizens. The Russian BBC service reports that Putin's troops are losing skilled soldiers daily, compelling the president to make unpopular decisions.
Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev emphasised that individuals over the age of 30 will be sent to training camps to achieve military registration readiness. Putin’s new decree confirms these intentions.
The document requires the Russian government and executive authorities to organise training. The decree includes two confidential sections regarding the number of citizens to be sent to camps and their training dates. Residents of major cities fear this could mean forced deployment to the front lines, according to independent Russian media.
Military training camps in Russia customarily occur in spring or summer. The last series of January camps took place in 2003. This time, Putin's decree introduces winter training, a rare occurrence. In 2024, the exercises commenced in March and were the largest in a decade, as reported by "The Moscow Times". Military commissariats in the Moscow region sent notices to managers, requesting lists of employees subject to the military fee legislation.
Mobilisation of young Russians: Putin makes a decision
Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev noted that all young Russians should obtain a military registration specialty. Individuals over the age of 30 will be guided to training camps to acquire military registration areas and avoid becoming "cannon fodder."
Sobolev stresses the importance of having a trained reserve force. There is public concern that these individuals may face the same fate as soldiers before the Ukrainian invasion. Some were told they were going for exercises and only discovered, once abroad, that they were at the front line.
Russia has long struggled with a shortage of soldiers. Attempts to incorporate recruits from North Korea were unsuccessful, as they were poorly trained and suffered significant casualties, reducing their combat effectiveness. They have primarily been deployed in the Kursk region, where The Armed Forces of Ukraine dealt them substantial losses. It seems Russia will no longer seek soldiers from Kim Jong Un.
If the authorities indeed turn to young men from major cities, this action could incite social unrest against Vladimir Putin, report independent media sources. Whether this will happen remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the president's decision highlights a substantial issue within the Russian military.
