Russia trains reservists for frontline under pretext of infrastructure protection – ISW
Russia conceals training of reservists for deployment to the front (photo: Getty Images)
The Kremlin has launched a partial call-up of reservists as part of creating an active reserve. Officially, this is presented as preparation for the protection of Russia's critical infrastructure, but in reality, the reservists are being trained for combat operations in Ukraine, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
As Russian media reported earlier, at least 19 regions of Russia are already forming and training such units. This became possible after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on November 5 allowing the training of reservists for the protection of essential facilities.
It is officially stated that their tasks include guarding infrastructure in regions bordering Ukraine, combating sabotage groups, and conducting "counterterrorism" measures. Some reservists are being promised that they will serve only within their own area.
However, as ISW analysts note, the Kremlin has repeatedly violated contracts and promises made to servicemen during the invasion of Ukraine.
In particular, Russian mobilized soldiers with short-term contracts were forced to serve indefinitely.
The Institute also notes that the Moscow region is notably absent from the list of areas that have begun forming reserve units, even though Ukrainian forces have frequently carried out strikes on infrastructure in the area.
"Russian officials have previously concentrated military personnel recruitment efforts on regions in central Russia, and the Kremlin is likely similarly concentrating involuntary partial call-up efforts in central regions to shield larger and more politically important population centers, such as Moscow City, from force generation efforts," the article states.
Russia has launched a mass recruitment of reservists under the pretext of protecting critical infrastructure facilities. The formation of such units has begun in at least 20 Russian regions.
Kremlin has adopted laws that effectively open the possibility of deploying Russian reservists to the occupied territories of Ukraine.
