If assessed realistically, Russia will actually be able to recruit 120,000-150,000 people, but it will not be possible to mobilize the 300,000 announced by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The ex-speaker of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a participant in numerous peacekeeping operations in various countries, military expert Vladyslav Voloshyn told the "Obozrevatel" publication about this.

"Today, Russia needs at least 100-120 thousand more in order to at least double the group that is in Ukraine, or even more. And Kadyrov, when he was talking about self-mobilization even before Putin's decree, mentioned that each region would demobilize about a thousand and will prepare. He usually promises a lot, but okay, let's add about 50,000.

to send such a group to Ukraine that can achieve certain goals. And they are unchanged. No one spoke about the fact that the goals of Putin and Russia have changed," the expert noted.

He added that despite Putin's statement that the main goal of the "special military operation" is the "liberation of Donbas", the President of the Russian Federation perfectly understands that there will be no "liberation" without a change in the leadership of Ukraine.

"And this can theoretically be achieved only if Kyiv is taken under control and the government removed by military means," Voloshyn said.

According to his estimates, the maximum number of manpower that the Russian Federation will be able to gather within the limits of the announced mobilization will be 200,000.

"

And, besides, Russia is unable to even clothe and feed a larger number, judging by the state of their budget and economy," explained the military expert.

According to him, taking into account the shortfall during the spring draft, and now they are also preparing for the fall draft, the Russian army needs an even larger number of personnel. 

"Therefore, various measures are being taken at the level of local authorities, at the level of military-patriotic clubs, in order to attract more people to military service. But it is unlikely to succeed," Voloshyn believes. 

It will be recalled that on September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on partial mobilization.

According to Shoigu, it is planned to recruit 300,000 people to the army as part of the mobilization.

Read also:

•  Shoigu sadly stated that Russia is unable to overcome Ukraine - Danilov

• "They have already mentally written off half": Arestovych explained why Russia plans to assemble a "double set" of military personnel

• "It will complicate life": a military expert explained how partial mobilization in the Russian Federation will affect the front

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