British intelligence: Russian army struggles with soldier shortages
21 August 2024 13:42
The British intelligence has analyzed the war situation in Russia and the state of its army fighting in Ukraine. The British Ministry of Defence reported that the war of attrition with Kyiv made it difficult for Moscow to create better units because it could not ensure higher combat skills.
In the conflict with Ukraine, ongoing since early 2022, the tide of victory is not shifting in favour of the Russian army. The British Ministry of Defence assesses that Russia is encountering difficulties in creating units with higher combat capabilities due to the war of attrition tactics it employs in its conflict with Ukraine.
According to PAP, this strategy requires the continuous replenishment of infantry personnel on the front line, which does not allow for full and comprehensive soldier training. New forces are continually needed at the front, so inexperienced draftees quickly end up in the trenches.
British intelligence determined. Moscow suffers from a lack of soldiers
The latest intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defence references information the Russian portal Important Stories provides. According to these reports, Russia has engaged the Specialized Motorized Rifle Regiment to defend the Kursk region.
This regiment was formed in May from soldiers of the Aerospace Forces, which is an unusual solution. It falls under the Northern Group of Forces.
This formation's ranks include specialists who previously handled other military tasks, such as early warning radar operators or long-range heavy bomber squadron personnel.
The British Ministry of Defence pointed out that reassigning soldiers from these previously high-priority positions likely indicates a personnel shortage. By engaging specialized military experts in infantry units, Russia risks the inappropriate use of these forces, which may negate the chances of regaining the Kursk region.
The intelligence update assessed that Russia continues to create new units and recruit personnel to maintain its war of attrition tactics against Ukraine. The high casualty rates resulting from this mean that Russia must constantly replenish infantry personnel on the front line, which will almost certainly continue to limit Russia's ability to form higher-capabilities units.
