Russia pressures soldiers to extend contracts amid Ukraine war
"It's about preserving the combat genes in the army; they have enormous experience" is how experts comment on reports from Russia about forcing soldiers to extend their contracts. This means that even if the anticipated peace is achieved, the Russian invading army will remain a threat. 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, which has only a 15% chance of survival. The authors suggest that if the war in Ukraine ends, the Kremlin could announce demobilization (ongoing since September 2022). However, in reality, thousands of soldiers will remain in the army due to these contracts.
- Russia attaches great importance to retaining experienced soldiers from the war in Ukraine within 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 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 involve soldiers with a year of frontline experience, who possess enormous experience. The analyst adds that if such veterans left, the army would lose recently acquired capabilities.
According to retired Polish Lt. Col. Korowaj, after the war in Ukraine ends, Russia will face the problem of veterans who have grown accustomed to the high wages associated with combat. 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 $4,000-$5,000. These figures are 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 increasing military brigades from 110 to 220. According to the politician, Ukraine needs 150 F-16 aircraft and 25 Patriot systems for defense. Then, they would not have to rely on a foreign contingent to separate 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 neighbors of Russia: "We have intelligence indicating they will increase their army in 2025 by 12-15 divisions, estimating 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 target Poland, Lithuania, warned Zelensky.
Tomasz Molga, journalist of Wirtualna Polska
