Ukraine: "Russia Plans Second Mobilization Order, Aiming to Draft Additional 700,000"

"300,000 Troops Deployed First Lose Will to Fight"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Ukrainian government claims that Russia plans to conscript up to 700,000 new soldiers through a second mobilization order. This is analyzed to be due to the worsening situation on the battlefield and increasing casualties, necessitating troop reinforcements. If true, greater internal opposition within Russia is expected.

On the 22nd (local time), according to the UK’s Sky News, Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, posted on his Twitter account, "Russia is planning a second mobilization next year, intending to mobilize between 500,000 and up to 700,000 people," adding, "The 300,000 previously mobilized have mostly been killed or wounded, losing their will to fight."

Gerashchenko pointed out, "Russians have quietly begun to harbor dissatisfaction with the authorities," and "They do not understand the losses suffered by the once-praised army." However, he did not disclose any evidence to support his claims.

Sky News analyzed, "If Gerashchenko’s claims are true, it means Russia is preparing for a prolonged war and that the situation on the battlefield is not progressing as President Vladimir Putin had anticipated." Earlier, in September, Russia issued a partial mobilization order, conscripting 300,000 reservists and deploying them to the front lines, but the situation has hardly improved.

In particular, unlike the Ukrainian forces, which number up to 500,000 including standing troops and conscripts, Russia is reportedly suffering from a severe manpower shortage as casualties among the initially mobilized 150,000 to 180,000 have exceeded 80,000.

Since the mobilization order was issued, conscripted soldiers have been sent directly to the front lines without sufficient training and have not been properly equipped, drawing criticism. Amid this, if additional conscription occurs, public sentiment within Russia is expected to deteriorate significantly.