Putin’s mobilization of more troops still leaves Russia facing huge hurdles in Ukraine

The main challenge the Russian military faces after almost seven months at war looks likely to remain a basic one: manpower.

The main challenge the Russian military faces after almost seven months at war looks likely to remain a basic one: manpower. 

The “partial mobilization” President Vladimir Putin rolled out Wednesday aims to add an additional 300,000 reservists to the front, according to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, primarily those with some kind of military experience. This comes after the Kremlin had already aimed to boost its military machine to 1.15 million last month, the Pentagon said.

But it is unlikely that anywhere near all of the 300,000 will have true combat experience or training, or get it once in the field, said Jeff Edmonds, who served as the National Security Council’s director for Russia in the Obama administration. 

“Realistically, most of these guys haven’t been through recent training, and a 300,000 input is incredibly high,” he said. “Most Russian soldiers receive most of their training in the units now, but it’s hard to imagine the units that are in Ukraine being in any state to train recruits.”

“The administrative side of adding new territory takes time, mobilizing and integrating newly mobilized troops takes time.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-ukraine-russia-war-mobilization-troops-manpower-rcna48866

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