Russia's Year-End Neighbors in Need Are 'Soldiers'... Fundraising Campaign Starts Nationwide

Purchasing Coats and Socks for Soldiers Without Supplies
Severe Shortage of Russian Goods Due to Prolonged Sanctions Against Russia

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ahead of the year-end and New Year holidays, major Russian charitable organizations for helping the underprivileged have reportedly launched fundraising campaigns to purchase winter gear such as cold-weather coats for soldiers. Since the partial mobilization order was declared last September, news of soldiers being deployed to the front lines without proper equipment has spread, leading to a surge in fundraising efforts primarily among the families of the troops.

The Russian government emphasizes that there are no supply issues for soldiers and that conditions have greatly improved; however, it is still estimated that approximately 150,000 soldiers deployed to the Ukrainian front lines after the partial mobilization order have not been properly equipped. Due to intensified shortages of parts and materials caused by sanctions against Russia, production delays in military supplies are expected to increase the hardships and dissatisfaction among soldiers.

From coats and socks to machine guns... Soldiers obtaining equipment through donations

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 22nd (local time), Russian fundraising organizations are conducting extensive year-end campaigns to purchase supplies for soldiers. CNN reported that on social media platforms such as Telegram, fundraising efforts are underway to send soldiers socks, sweaters, coats, bulletproof vests, and even to purchase machine guns.

According to CNN, a Russian fundraising group posted on its Telegram channel, "We are continuously collecting bulletproof vests to send to soldiers," adding, "To purchase and send 50 sets of Chinese-made bulletproof vests, we need to raise 1 million rubles (approximately 18 million KRW)."

Following the 150,000 soldiers mobilized since the outbreak of the war in February and an additional 300,000 conscripted under the partial mobilization order last September, Russian soldiers have been deployed to the front lines without receiving proper supplies, prompting increased fundraising efforts mainly among their families. CNN reports that about 150,000 soldiers conscripted under the partial mobilization order have been deployed to the Ukrainian front lines, with the majority reportedly not receiving firearms, ammunition, or winter supplies.

Maxim Samorukov, a researcher at the Carnegie International Peace Foundation, pointed out in an article published in Foreign Policy that "military families have no choice but to pay out of their own pockets to protect their loved ones," highlighting the growing problem of the Russian government's failure to supply troops adequately.

Russia procures military supplies from North Korea following Iran

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Russian military is reportedly procuring weapons from North Korea following Iran, as prolonged sanctions against Russia have worsened production delays and material shortages in military industries.

Yesterday, Japan's Tokyo Shimbun reported that North Korea exported military supplies such as anti-tank shells and surface-to-air missiles via rail. The transportation of materials took place on the railway connecting Tumen River Station in Rason Special City, northeastern North Korea, and Hassan Station in Russia's Primorsky Krai on the 20th of last month. Tokyo Shimbun also reported that additional military supplies are expected to be transported to Russia within the next few weeks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.