The influx of volunteers is more than enough to achieve Moscow’s current military goals in Ukraine, Andrey Kartapolov has suggested
FILE PHOTO: Russian servicemen inspect an area for explosive devices in Avdeevka, Donetsk People’s Republic, Russia, March 6, 2024 © Sputnik / Stanislav Krasilnikov
Russia does not need to announce another wave of mobilization to strengthen its army ranks, amid a constant flow of those willing to sign a contract with the military, the head of the State Duma Defense Committee, Andrey Kartapolov, said on Tuesday.
The Kremlin previously dismissed as “lies” Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s claims that Russia plans to mobilize 300,000 additional soldiers by the summer. Kartapolov addressed the rumor on Tuesday, insisting that “under no circumstances” such a mobilization was going to take place.
“Mobilization is a closed chapter. Our current system of recruitment ensures the fulfillment of all the tasks we face within the framework of the conflict in Ukraine,” Kartapolov told the outlet RTVI.
The lawmaker added that Russia can achieve its current goals with the existing manpower, and has no intention to start a conflict with NATO, even though the US-led bloc’s member states keep talking about “not letting us win.”
Back in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia had a total of 617,000 service members participating in the special military operation in Ukraine, with nearly 250,000 of that number called up from reserve in the autumn of 2022. Russian officials, including Putin, repeatedly insisted that there were no plans to announce a second wave of mobilization.
Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry said that more than 100,000 Russian citizens have volunteered for military service since the beginning of the year, with 16,000 signing up in the wake of the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack.
Meanwhile, Kiev has expanded its forceful mobilization efforts. Last week Zelensky lowered the military conscription age from 27 to 25 in an effort to replenish the depleted army ranks. On Monday, Land Forces Commander Aleksandr Pavlyuk warned Ukrainian citizens to realize that none of them will be able to escape mobilization as Kiev’s military suffers personnel shortages.
