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Still from a Russian Army recruitment video

Introduction – Apr 18, 2024

Western mainstream media reports about Russia and Ukraine should now be approached with a healthy skepticism. The following Bloomberg article illustrates why.

First of all it strives to create the impression that the Russian Army could soon be faced with recruitment shortfalls when by Bloomberg’s own admission it is recruiting an average of 30,000 volunteers a month. So by the end of this year the Russian Army could have enlisted over 300,000 volunteers on contract as professional soldiers.

That’s almost three times the size of the British Army alone.

So whence these concerns about Russian Army recruitment? Apparently, they originate from “three people informed about discussions on the matter”.

Bloomberg doesn’t name these sources and nor does it identify their positions. So they could easily be disinformation specialists working for western intelligence. We have no way of knowing.

However, the article does contain some genuine information about events in Ukraine. After suggesting that another mass call up in Russia could undermine popular support for the war, Bloomberg finally reveals some real news.

As Ukrainian weapons stocks and ammunition run dangerously low, Bloomberg notes that:

“Russia may make major gains in the coming weeks by punching through overstretched Ukrainian lines”

In other words, parts of the Ukrainian front line could be on the verge of collapse.

Crucially, many of Russia’s soldiers will also gain a vital attribute in Ukraine that distinguishes them from parade ground mannequins – combat experience.

Speaking as a former Rhodesian Army Special Forces veteran I can tell you that there is no substitute for honing the skills of a recruit and turning him into a professional soldier than combat itself. It will either prove him and his training. Or if he fails, it will reduce him into a blubbering wreck.

In my old unit you weren’t accepted as a fully-fledged member until you had served at least one tour of combat duty. This would include parachute jumps into battle, airborne helicopter assaults and long-range patrols, often into neighbouring countries like Mozambique and Zambia where Rhodesian soldiers were considered enemy combatants. Meaning that we were, in effect, operating in enemy territory.

That’s why military training is so demanding, especially for Special Forces soldiers. Military commanders simply need to know that their men are up to the task, particularly Special Forces who will be sent into the most difficult and demanding missions.

The Russian Army is now acquiring this vital military attribute in abundance and en masse. What they are gaining in Ukraine will give the Russia’s military a massive advantage over their NATO counterparts, many of whom have absolutely no combat experience.

Just remember that if Russia and NATO square off against each other.The Russian Army will have a huge advantage over their NATO counterparts, as many Russian soldiers will have had extensive combat experience while their NATO adversaries will have had next to none.

All of which leads this writer to wonder: is it really in the West’s interest to spoil for a fight with Russia over Ukraine? Or is this simply a pretext for WWIII and a broader planetary depopulation program?  Ed.

Russia to Hire Contract Soldiers in Bid to Avoid Unpopular Draft

Bloomberg News – Apr 18, 2024

A man studies a leaflet given by young woman helping promote Russian Army recruitment in Moscow. Click to enlarge

Russia is preparing to enlist more contract soldiers as it presses its invasion of Ukraine, aiming to avoid at least for now another mass call-up that could undermine popular support for the war.

The Kremlin is anxious not to repeat the September 2022 mobilization, which shook public confidence and triggered an exodus of as many as a million Russians from the country, three people informed about discussions on the matter said.

With as many as 30,000 new recruits a month, Russia could reinforce army ranks by 300,000 this year, said Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies think tank.

Bolstered by its advantage in ammunition, the Russian army is continuing to advance as Ukraine’s forces struggle because of delays in US and European military aid and personnel shortages. To be sure, relying on a gradual influx of new troops to replace losses and build up numerical strength rather than simply calling up another 300,000 in one go limits Russia’s military options.

 

 

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