Source: "European Truth" citing a review from the British Ministry of Defence on X (Twitter)
Details: According to the agency, although the contracts that Russian soldiers receive have a formal expiration date, they reportedly can remain in effect indefinitely.
Those who refuse to sign them are threatened with being sent to a "meat assault," where the survival rate is only 10-15%, the review states.
Intelligence suggests that Russia's efforts to compel mobilized individuals to sign indefinite contracts are likely partially driven by a shortage of experienced soldiers, as since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has lost around 860,000 killed and wounded.
This has significantly reduced the number of Russian servicemen with more than basic training, British analysts note.
Moreover, as highlighted in the review, Russian authorities are attempting to lessen the potential need for further unpopular mobilization within the country.
Intelligence reminds that after the announcement of partial mobilization in 2022, hundreds of thousands of young and educated Russians chose to leave the country. This significantly impacted the long-term challenges in the Russian labor market.
What preceded this:
- Previously, NATO noted the increase in casualties among Russian occupation forces in Ukraine: over the past year, the Russian Federation lost more than 530,000 soldiers killed and wounded.
- British intelligence, based on statistics provided by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, declared January 2025 the worst month for Russian losses since December 2024.