Russia’s Protracted War in Ukraine

[MisterVeritis]

Sounds like Putin does have this long term goal of restoring the former Soviet empire.

He is defending Russia from the US.

[Tahuyaman]

He is defending Russia from the US.

I he’s not, but somehow I knew you would chime in to defend him.

[MisterVeritis]

I he’s not, but somehow I knew you would chime in to defend him.

I see what Putin sees, the same things you are completely blind to.

[Tahuyaman]

I see what Putin sees, the same things you are completely blind to.

It’s completely obvious that Putin has this desire to reconstitute the former Soviet empire.

You don’t need to be embarrassed to acknowledge that. Putin doesn’t know that you worship him, nor does he care.

[Peter1469]

Sounds like Putin does have this long term goal of restoring the former Soviet empire.

It better include a military that can fight.

About 18% of one country. Then 13 more to go. With 100,000 KIA and climbing.

[Peter1469]

It is one thing to say you will increase your military and perhaps even conquor the ex-Soviet states. It is quiet another thing to be able to achieve it.
Are Russia's plans to reform its army realistic?


Russia recently announced its intention to increase its armed forces by another 350,000 soldiers to a total of 1.5 million personnel. In justification of this move, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the "military security of the nation," as well as of the "new subjects" — as he called the illegally annexed Ukrainian territories — and the country's "critical infrastructure" could only be secured "if the most crucial components of the armed forces are reinforced."


According to Shoigu, the reform will begin this year and conclude in 2026. Its aim is threefold: to restore the former military districts of Moscow and Leningrad (today's St. Petersburg), create new troop formations in the illegally occupied zones in Ukraine, and establish 12 new mobile units.


New army corps on Finland's border


A new corps is also planned for the region of Karelia, north of St. Petersburg. It is set to include three motorized rifle divisions as ground forces, and two divisions of airborne troops.


"The corps in Karelia is a response to NATO's expansion," said Israeli military expert David Sharp, who is from Ukraine. The Russian region of Karelia borders Finland, which has requested NATO membership along with Sweden.

***


How will the new soldiers be recruited?


The most important point of the announced reform — the increase of the army by 350,000 troops — has raised questions among observers. Where will these new fighters be recruited?


In Russia, all men between the ages of 18 and 27 are currently subject to military service. Each year, some 270,000 recruits are drafted in the spring and fall for one year. But this is only a portion of the entire age cohort, as many men have been able to avoid conscription, for example, by studying at a university or bribing authorities.


Now, however, the age of compulsory military service is to be raised from 21 to 30 years of age. "This is part of the reform. Eighteen-year-old recruits are still just ‘children' and hardly fit for battle. But 27-to-30-year-olds are physically stronger and have already completed their education, and that can benefit the army," said Sharp. He believes that in the future, far more conscripts will be called to duty.
***

How will the new reform be financed?


The planned personnel increase will be the second of its kind since Russia went to war against Ukraine last February. In August, President Vladimir Putin raised the maximum contingent by 140,000 men. Together with the additional 350,000 troops announced this week, this would amount to almost half a million new soldiers who will have to be equipped with weapons and uniforms — an enormous burden on the state budget.


Given the decline in Moscow's oil and gas revenues due to international sanctions, can the Kremlin even afford this increase? "This reform requires many resources, not just money and personnel. It requires equipment and infrastructure for the 350,000 conscripts. In addition, specialists are needed to train new recruits," said Sharp.


He suspects that many newly formed units will formally exist in name only, or will not receive military equipment. "A significant part of the promises made by this reform appear unrealistic," he added.


According to Ryzhenko, it costs about $80,000 (€73,600) to fully equip a soldier. Given these high costs and the shrinking state earnings, he, too, is doubtful that the announced reform can be implemented. He also pointed out that Russia depends on foreign components for its military equipment.


On top of all this, Ryzhenko believes such a measure would be quite unpopular with the public. "At the end of the day, many Russians are reluctant to go to war," he said.

[MisterVeritis]

It’s completely obvious that Putin has this desire to reconstitute the former Soviet empire.

You don’t need to be embarrassed to acknowledge that. Putin doesn’t know that you worship him, nor does he care.

Putin's desires are not relevant.

We are pushing Russia toward nuclear war.

[Captdon]

He is defending Russia from the US.

Bull$#@!.

[Tahuyaman]

Putin's desires are not relevant.

We are pushing Russia toward nuclear war.

Putin’s desires, goals or motives are relevant.

We are not pushing Russia to nuclear war.

[Tahuyaman]

There’s no doubt, at least with clear thinking people, that Putin’s ultimate goal or desire is to restore the former Soviet Empire, but at this time that goal is not achievable.