Russia faces junior officer shortage - Ukrainian intelligence reveals occupiers' plan to address it
Photo: There is a shortage of junior officers in Russia (Getty Images)
Russia is experiencing a shortage of junior officers. Ukrainian intelligence has discovered how the occupiers plan to address the issue, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.
"Russia's significant losses on the frontlines among junior officers are forcing the country to make further attempts to expand their training capacity," the report says.
How Russia plans to address the issue
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, the Kremlin began establishing mechanisms for the training and continuous supply of junior officers for the war against Ukraine in the first year of the full-scale invasion.
"The aggressor state is creating military training centers at civilian higher education institutions, where basic training for platoon commanders, artillery battery commanders, and deputy company commanders is to take place," the intelligence service noted.
As part of its plans, Russia aims to launch 33 new military training centers by the end of 2024, in addition to the nearly 100 existing ones.
Intel further adds that the primary role of junior officers in the enemy's army is to lead infantry charges on the frontlines, which explains the high loss rates and, consequently, the acute shortage of lieutenants in Russia.
"The renewed drive by Moscow's leaders to train even more fresh lieutenants indicates that the staffing crisis among the Russian occupation army’s command structure is deepening," the intelligence report concluded.
Russian losses in Ukraine
In the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminated 1,650 Russian occupiers. Additionally, Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 8 tanks, 26 armored combat vehicles, and 28 artillery systems of the enemy.
As previously reported by BBC News, the rate of Russian military deaths in the war against Ukraine has reached record levels since the beginning of the conflict. Over 78,000 occupiers have been killed on the frontlines so far.
It is also worth noting that the manpower shortage is not only observed among Russian officers. For instance, recently, partisans from the ATESH movement reported that the occupiers are actively digging in along the coast of Yevpatoria, preparing for an expected strike by Ukrainian Defense Forces. Due to the shortage of personnel, conscripts are being deployed for this task.
