Brig. Gen. Oleksiy Hromov, deputy chief of the Ukrainian military’s Main Operational Directorate, on Thursday said that Russia is stepping up production of munitions and would likely bolster its mobilization with migrants.
Hromov said Russia is increasing munitions “by reducing the quality of products, as well as by activating the conclusion of agreements with other countries.”
He said Russia would likely tap into the large number of migrants from central Asia to shore up its mobilization.
“Individuals with dual citizenship are allowed to perform military service in Russia during peacetime. These changes are primarily aimed at attracting migrant workers staying in Russia to military service,” he said.
Hromov estimated that about 2.7 million of the total number of migrants in Russia — the vast majority being from central Asia — are men of military age.
Some context: In November, Russia announced that its “partial mobilization” of hundreds of thousands of citizens to fight in the country’s war on Ukraine was completed. The mobilization, first announced in late September, sparked protests — particularly in in ethnic minority regions — and an exodus of men from the country.
Hromov also said that the Russian military presence has been growing in Belarus.
“Russian units of the Second Motorized Rifle Division … are undergoing training and combat coordination. … The Kremlin uses the officers and training ground infrastructure of Belarus to restore the combat capability of existing units, as well as to train newly established military units,” he said.
Hromov said Russian tanks and aircraft had been moved to Belarus, likely to provide Russia with another route for its missile attacks.
“The enemy redeployed three Mig 31-K aircrafts, which carry Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, as well as an A-50U long-range radar detection aircraft to Machulychi airfield. This indicates an increase in the aggressor’s capabilities to conduct air strikes on the territory of Ukraine,” he said.
Belarus’ role in the conflict: Neighboring Belarus is among Moscow’s most stalwart allies, and the two nations have held joint military exercises since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus has served as a staging ground for Russian forces near Ukraine’s northern border. It was the launching point for the Kremlin’s ultimately unsuccessful march toward Kyiv at the start of the invasion.
Source: www.cnn.com