Russia clings to veterans as Ukraine eyes massive military boost
"It's about preserving the combat genes in the army, they have enormous experience" – this is how experts comment on reports from Russia about forcing soldiers to extend their contracts. This means that the Russian invading army will remain a threat if the expected peace is reached. Ukraine has a response: "If we are not accepted into NATO, we will need an army of 1.5 million soldiers."
Commanders are urging soldiers to sign contracts that can be indefinite, warned the independent Russian portal "Wiorstka". "We need as few people as possible returning home. Mobilized soldiers are forced to sign agreements while waiting for peace talks", reads the Russian portal.
Refusing to sign a contract risks being assigned to units assaulting Ukrainian positions—where there's only a 15% chance of survival. The authors suggest that in the event of the war's end in Ukraine, the Kremlin could announce demobilization (ongoing since September 2022). However, in reality, thousands of soldiers will remain in the army—precisely on contracts.
- Russia attaches great importance to retaining experienced soldiers from the war in Ukraine in the army ranks, as this is crucial for maintaining combat capability. The Kremlin also realizes that they could otherwise become a social problem after the war ends - believes retired Polish Col. Maciej Korowaj, a military analyst affiliated with the University of Białystok and the Academy of Warfare Art.
Could they become Europe's dread? Russian army veterans
- It's about preserving the combat genes in the army. The contracts concern soldiers after a year of frontline battles, they have enormous experience. If such veterans left, the army would lose the capabilities acquired recently, adds the analyst.
According to retired Lt. Col. Korowaj, after the war in Ukraine ends, Russia will have to face the problem of veterans who have grown accustomed to the high wages associated with participating in battles. A decrease in earnings after the end of hostilities may lead to dissatisfaction and social tensions.
- Contract soldiers recruited into the Russian army for the war in Ukraine receive 360,000-400,000 rubles a month in pay, or approximately $6,500-$7,500 CAD. These are amounts unattainable for the average Russian, he adds.
Ukraine's response: 1.5 million troops, 150 aircraft
Let us recall that since February 12th, Donald Trump has been taking the first concrete steps aimed at ending the three-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine. The American leader held talks with Presidents Putin and Zelensky. The Munich Security Conference is underway, focusing on the situation in Ukraine. So far, neither side has mentioned demobilizing their forces, quite the opposite.
- If we are not accepted into NATO, we will need an army of 1.5 million soldiers - said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the corridors of the Munich conference. He added that such a number of soldiers means an increase in military brigades from 110 to 220. According to the politician, Ukraine needs 150 F-16 aircraft and 25 Patriot systems for defence. Then they would not have to rely on a foreign contingent separating fighting Ukrainians and Russians.
Recent warnings from analysts indicate that Russia is creating a universal army, expected to number 1.5 million soldiers. Based on battlefield experiences in Ukraine, regiments specializing in drone warfare are being formed.
President Zelensky mentioned the threat to other neighbours of Russia: " We have intelligence that they will increase their army in 2025 by 12-15 divisions and we estimate this will be around 150,000 additional soldiers". The politician believes that Russian units will undergo training in Belarus.
- If they exercise there in the summer or fall of 2025, when they are ready, I believe that then they will be able to start a full-scale invasion. And at this moment, I have a question: who said they would restart it against Ukraine? They could start in Poland, in Lithuania, warned Zelensky.
Tomasz Molga, journalist of Wirtualna Polska
