Russia seeks 400,000 more reservists to blunt Ukraine’s fresh offensive

The move would allow Moscow to avoid another forced mobilisation of reservists as it ramps up the campaign to re-elect President Putin later this year

Ukraine is planning to launch a major counteroffensive in the coming months with troops fresh from training in Europe and the US

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President Vladimir Putin speaks to a soldier at a training centre for mobilised reservists in Russia’s Ryazan region. File photo: Sputnik via AP

Published: 1:19pm, 25 Mar 2023

The Kremlin has dialled back plans for a further offensive in Ukraine this spring after failing to gain much ground and will focus on blunting a new push by Kyiv’s forces expected to begin soon.

Digging in for a long fight, the Kremlin is seeking to sign up as many as 400,000 contract soldiers this year to replenish its ranks, according to people familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters that aren’t public.

The ambitious recruiting campaign would allow the Kremlin to avoid another forced mobilisation of reservists as it ramps up the campaign to re-elect President Vladimir Putin later this year, the people said. Last fall’s call-up shook public confidence and triggered an exodus of as many as a million Russians from the country.

Even with the battlefield and political challenges, Putin has signalled he’s confident Russia will be able to outlast Ukraine’s supporters in the US and Europe, betting that if his forces are able to prevent another breakthrough by Ukrainian troops in the coming months, backing for Kyiv will weaken.

While many in the government and Kremlin elite question whether Russia can ever prevail, hardline security-service officials are committed to pursuing a fight they see as existential and have Putin’s ear, the people said.

Defying efforts by Washington and its allies to isolate him, Putin won strong public backing this month from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who pledged to tighten ties on a visit to Moscow. Privately, Kremlin officials were upbeat about the visit despite the lack of deals announced, saying Xi’s high-profile endorsement was an important sign of support.

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