Criticism grows louder over Russia’s chaotic troop mobilisation
Al JazeeraSep 25, 2022
In a televised meeting on Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Pres. Vladimir Putin that the country's "partial mobilization" drive of 300k reservists — announced on Sep. 21 following a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv — has been completed.
Shoigu told Putin: "The deployment of citizens called up for mobilization was completed today. The conscription of citizens has stopped." He added that the 300K figure was reached, with 218K currently receiving training and 82K already fighting in Ukraine.
Russia's hastily organized mobilization has triggered thousands to flee the country, while those unfortunate enough to be selected are sent to the frontlines as cannon fodder with insufficient training and equipment.
This is Russia's first mobilization of troops since World War II. Some logistical problems were inevitable, but the relevant conclusions have been drawn, and the issues have been rectified.
There's a 50% chance that at least 7.07% of Russian GDP will be spent on military expenses in 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.