Russia Looks To Amend Restrictions On Use Of Active Reservists To Expand Forces In Ukraine

"Russia will be able to deploy members of its active reserve to fight in Ukraine if needed under amendments drawn up by Russia's Defense Ministry and likely to be formally approved by parliament. The amendments would give the Defense Ministry greater flexibility to ramp up the size of its force in Ukraine and allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to refresh the force by calling up reservists who have voluntarily signed contracts with the Defense Ministry, thus avoiding another unpopular mobilization."

"The amendments also would allow the Kremlin to deploy active reservists into combat more rapidly than was possible under previous methods requiring a formal declaration of war or mobilization order, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The ISW said the changes also would give Russia a way to expand its forces that is cheaper than the current use of large financial incentives to volunteers who sign contracts with the regular army to fight in Ukraine."

Amendments enable deployment of active reservists to fight in Ukraine with greater flexibility and faster timelines than prior methods that required formal war declarations or mobilization orders. The provisions allow President Vladimir Putin to call up reservists who have voluntarily signed contracts, reducing the need for a broad, unpopular mobilization and lowering dependence on large financial incentives for volunteers. A new "special assemblies" category would train reservists for up to two months before overseas deployment and permit mobilization for special tasks labeled as counterterrorism operations. Around two million people currently serve in the active reserve and would receive extra pay if summoned under the new terms.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty