Russian President Vladimir Putin with his Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Photo courtesy Kremlin
Moscow: Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu today informed President Vladimir Putin about the completion of the exercise to deploy 300,000 people to the military units, the Kremlin stated.
“All recruits called up under the mobilisation have been deployed today. No more notices are being served,” he told Putin who is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces.
The average age of mobilised Russians is 35.
In his briefing to the Russian President, Shoigu said in all 82,000 reservists who already completed their training were sent to the area of the special military operation. This included more than 41,000 who joined units there.
At present, 218,000 people were in combat training as part of crews or units in training centres and grounds. The Defence Minister said those who see action will receive the status of a combat veteran and the corresponding package of social benefits.
Starting September 21, 2022, the military enlistment offices, together with the executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, have been carrying out the partial mobilisation effort, which involved calling up 300,000 people and deploying them to military units.
The special recruitment drive following Russia’s prolonged war in Ukraine which entered its 247th day today had initial hiccups marked by the reluctance of the people to join the forces and many fleeing the country, as highlighted in Western Media. Shoigu said that at an early stage, there were problems with various types of supplies and subsistence for the mobilised. “These problems have been resolved. All those deployed to their units are provided with the required supplies, uniforms, equipment, and food at the same standard as professional military personnel serving under contract,” he told Putin while acknowledging the “significant effort” of each of the regions, regional governors, municipal and regional bodies in providing “invaluable assistance and support”.
He said in the course of the partial mobilisation, more than 1,300 representatives of executive authorities well as over 27,000 entrepreneurs were called up. According to him, as many as 13,000 Russians volunteered to fulfil their duty before any mobilisation notices were served to them.
“No additional objectives are planned. Military enlistment offices will continue to staff the troops for the special military operation only by accepting volunteers and candidates planning to join the service under contract,” Shoigu told Putin.
– global bihari bureau
