Russia’s military leaders announced plans to use reservists to protect civilian infrastructure, like oil refineries, due to increased Ukrainian drone attacks.
President Vladimir Putin has ordered the regular army to expand to 1.5 million, making it the second largest army globally after China’s.
Currently, around 700,000 men are reported to be fighting in Ukraine, and there are approximately 2 million in active reserves who have signed contracts but do not regularly serve.
Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky highlighted the heightened threat from Ukraine’s long-range drones to essential national infrastructure and residential areas. He stated that trained and patriotic citizens would be enlisted to enhance the security of critical facilities deep within Russia.
This deployment of reservists aims to allow more regular troops to be available for combat. Tsimlyansky confirmed that this would not constitute a mobilization, and reservists would operate only within their regions, without participating in military actions in Ukraine.
With information from Reuters
