Russia recruits reservists and prisoners, doubling troop numbers compared to early war stages

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] There are reports that the Russian military has recruited reservists and prisoners, amassing a force of 300,000 troops, double the number at the beginning of the war.

On the 23rd (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported that analyses indicate the size of the Russian military has more than doubled compared to the start of the war as a result of gathering resources such as reservists and prisoners.

Previously, in a briefing the day before, John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), estimated that Russia's private military company, the Wagner Group, deployed 50,000 personnel to the Ukrainian front, of which 40,000 were recruited from prisoners incarcerated across Russia.

In addition, through the partial mobilization order announced in September, Russia conscripted 300,000 reservists and 20,000 volunteers. Adding these numbers, Russia's total forces have increased to more than twice the 150,000 regular troops at the time of the invasion of Ukraine in February.

Despite tens of thousands of Russian casualties in Ukraine's counteroffensive over the past two to three months, the Wagner Group continues to supply replacement troops.

The WP also reported that Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the Wagner Group and known as a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was recently seen personally visiting prisons to intensify mercenary recruitment efforts. WP analyzed that Prigozhin and the Wagner Group appear to be striving to move toward the center of Russian power.

Coordinator Kirby also mentioned in the briefing, "There are frequent cases where Russian military officials are under the command of the Wagner Group," adding, "Wagner is emerging as an institution comparable not only to the military but also to several Russian government departments."

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