Intelligence reveals how Russia recruits in Moscow and Leningrad oblasts for the war in Ukraine

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO –  SATURDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2022, 22:24

"Hidden mobilisation" is intensifying in the Moscow and Leningrad oblasts of the Russian Federation.

Source: The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, on Telegram 

Quote: "Depletion of the mobilisation potential of the main ‘donors’ to the war against Ukraine - Buryatia, Tuva, the republics of the Caucasus and other disadvantaged regions, is forcing the Kremlin to become more active in the so-called ‘central oblasts’.

The heads of these regions are appointed directly as overseers of the mobilisation campaigns. Andrey Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow Oblast, who is one of Putin's ‘faithful bayonets’, has held this position since 2012, replacing Sergey Shoigu, the current Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation."

Details: Ukrainian Intelligence reported that the basis for the mobilisation measures is a broad advertising campaign, which includes campaigning on major TV channels, radio, the Internet and print media.

Men of draft age are given an offer to sign "voluntary" contracts for a period of 3 to 12 months. The main motivation is increased financial security. Candidates are promised a salary of up to 240,000 rubles [approximately $4000 US dollars], which is transferred to a special bank card from the Military Commissariat. During training and downtime [they can earn] between 30,000 [approximately $500 US dollars] and 45,000 [approximately $700 US dollars] roubles.

The contract is signed after going through a number of mandatory procedures: psychological tests, filling out a questionnaire, and passing a military medical commission (MMC). According to the "recruiters", the  military medical commission is conditional. In fact, they take everyone willing, even those ranked category "B" on the military ticket, namely, of limitedly suitability.

Quote: "Currently, the main part of those willing from Moscow and the Moscow Oblast sign contracts on the basis of military unit 73621 (1st Tank Army) of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - Odintsovo, Bakovka microdistrict, Moscow Oblast. After signing the contract, the contract workers undergo training of between 10 days and a month. Attention is focused mainly on the training of T-72B3 tank crews.

In the future, new "professional soldiers" will be sent to the 56th training centre for junior specialists of motorised rifle troops (military unit 71717), which is located in Sertolovo, Leningrad Oblast, for in-depth training."

Previously: Earlier on Saturday, Vadym Skibitskyi, the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, reported that Russia has already involved about 160,000 military personnel in the war against Ukraine and plans to involve another 90,000.

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