Hidden Mobilization?: Russia’s New Reservist Law and Ukraine War Implications
Summary of the Article: RussiaS Reservist Mobilization
This article from The Moscow Times discusses recent Russian legislation allowing the call-up of reservists for “special training” to protect critical infrastructure, and explores the potential implications for the war in Ukraine. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* New Legislation: Russia has passed laws enabling the deployment of reservists for training to safeguard critical infrastructure. This has sparked fears it might very well be a backdoor to bolstering troop numbers in Ukraine.
* The BARS Reserve: Russia established the “Special Combat Army Reserve” (BARS) in 2015. This consists of individuals who previously served and signed a contract with the Defense Ministry. They receive a small monthly payment and are required to attend periodic training.
* Reserve Size: The exact number of reservists is unknown. Recruitment substantially increased in 2021, reportedly growing from a few thousand to 100,000. One lawmaker claims the total reserve is around 2 million,though experts dispute this.
* Past Involvement: Many reservists volunteered to fight in ukraine early in the war,forming BARS battalions and later signing contracts with the military. These battalions were initially more lenient with enlistment criteria.
* Current Status: The article suggests uncertainty about the impact of the new legislation.Some believe it will significantly increase Russia’s military capacity, while others think it will have limited effect.
In essence, the article examines the existing russian reservist system and analyzes how the new legislation might be used, potentially to reinforce the military effort in ukraine, despite differing opinions on its actual impact.