“Russia Wrestles With How to Send More Troops to Ukraine Without Another Call-Up”
“Moscow seeks to boost its military manpower as Ukraine’s counteroffensive gets under way”
“Russia is reaching for a range of tactics to cajole or coerce men to enroll in the military, as it looks to buttress its defenses in Ukraine without resorting to a mass mobilization that could cause political and social friction at home.
Fifteen months after his invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing a problem his commanders had hoped to avoid: how to recruit enough troops to fight what is shaping up to be a drawn-out war. As a result, Russian authorities are offering enticements such as signing bonuses for joining what they call their “special military operation,” while also increasing the punishment for those who evade military service.
With Ukrainian forces equipped with advanced Western weapons now engaged in a counteroffensive aimed at expelling Russia from their territory, Moscow needs more men. According to U.S. estimates, Russian casualties in Ukraine have totaled 100,000 since December, including 20,000 dead. Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, said in September that 5,937 Russian soldiers had been killed, but in January and June he announced other battlefield deaths, bringing the total to 6,071, the last official count Russia has provided on its casualties.”
“Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced during a visit to Kyiv Saturday that Canada will be part of multinational efforts to train Ukraine’s fighter pilots.
During a joint news conference with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trudeau said the country will help “maintain and support Ukraine’s fighter jet program, leveraging Canadian expertise in these areas.”
Trudeau also announced that Canada will contribute to an initiative for the maintenance of Leopard battle tanks that Ukraine’s allies have provided to Kyiv. “
They also have removed many exemptions including for scientists and people with degrees, the sick and over 65, also propagandists - basically the only exemptions are for people employed in the defense industry - if they quit they are mobilized.