Dmitry is a sniper and intelligence officer. – I came, saw, shot and left. This is how he describes a day at work in Ukraine. He says the goal is to crush the enemy, to annihilate them. The “enemy” is of course Ukrainian soldiers. Dmitry has been fighting in Ukraine since 2014. Now he has signed a contract for one more year. He is one of 400,000 soldiers Russia will recruit by the end of the year. Dmitrij describes how he measures in his head the distance between himself and the target he, as a sniper, has been ordered to kill. Photo: JURIJ LINKEVITSJ / news Adult soldiers – It’s better that I leave than an 18-year-old boy. I know “what and how”, adds Dmitrij. That is why he is on his way to Luhansk county in Ukraine to fight. The backpack is packed, it’s at his feet as we speak. Dmitrij is probably close to 40 years old. We meet outside the recruitment center for contract soldiers in “Eplegaten” in Moscow. Most of the people we see entering and exiting are well-grown adults. The city of Moscow has opened a large, central recruitment center for contract soldiers. Photo: JURIJ LINKEVITSJ / news – My face is not suitable for TV, is his first comment when we ask if he has “a minute”. The need for soldiers at the front is great. Therefore, the Russian defense now accepts soldiers up to the age of 65. In principle, all regular Russian soldiers in Ukraine must be contract soldiers. It is estimated that the country now has approximately 400,000 soldiers on contract. Dmitry speaks in short, incomplete sentences. It’s strange to think that the thin, short man has been at war for most of the last 9 years. He looks nothing like the soldiers in the promotional videos of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Russian contract soldiers Russia’s armed forces consist of conscripts and contract soldiers, in addition to the professional officers. The Minister of Defense and Putin have repeatedly said that conscripts should not be sent to Ukraine. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defense had to admit last year that some had been sent to Ukraine: In principle, all ordinary foot soldiers in Ukraine must be contract soldiers. It is estimated that the country now has approx. 400,000 soldiers on contract. The contract length is normally 3 years, but now shorter contracts are also signed. Anyone who has not recently been in the war will, in principle, receive training. The training varies from a few days to a few months. Not everyone who has signed a contract is sent straight to the front. Some are kept in reserve after undergoing training to be sent when needed. Contract soldiers who have undergone training or participated in the war are part of Russia’s reserve forces. They are on paper approx. 2 million, but the country does not have the capacity to ensure that regular training. Defense Minister Sergej Sjojgu has said that the goal is to have 80-100,000 active reservists. There are two calls for conscription each year, from 1 April and from 1 October. Not everyone of conscription age (18–27) is summoned to a session and some who are summoned are exempted or postponed. This spring, the defense will end with 147,000 conscripts, 12,500 more than last year. The lure of high wages On Russian television, advertisements are often broadcast to recruit more soldiers. “You are a man’s people. Act like one!” reads one of the calls, with images of soldiers shrouded in fog. In the advertising videos, the contract soldiers are lured with a salary that is at least four times the usual average salary, over NOK 26,000 a month. The state-run Russian TV channels have daily reports about Russian soldiers near the front. Photo: Rossjia 1 In addition, they receive unemployment benefits, free sanatorium stays, halving of municipal taxes and priority for study places. In addition, many counties and municipalities offer extra support to soldiers’ families. For brand new contract soldiers, it is certainly among the motives. But for Dmitry it has become a way of life Russia will win – Do you think Russia will win? – 100 per cent, replies Dmitri. There is only a little bit of Russia fighting there now. If all of Russia joins, it means the end for the Ukrainians. As a sniper, he has to get close to Ukrainian soldiers. He is a soft target and very vulnerable. – I’m afraid, how is it possible not to. I’m always afraid. Another thing is whether you manage to suppress the anxiety and then go on the attack. Those who don’t make it, flee to Georgia or Kazakhstan, says Dmitri. He calls them “cowards”. Future contract soldiers on their way to the recruitment office. But none of these wanted to talk to news, saying they had a “bad time” Photo: JURIJ LINKEVITSJ / news Raising the age of soldiers In reality, there is a minority of Russian men of fighting age who take part in the war. The age limit for contract soldiers was changed last year to normal retirement age (65). Thus, in principle, there are many to take off. Before the Russian attack last February, the upper age limit was 40. But President Putin refuses to comply with demands from nationalist military bloggers for general, full mobilization. Instead, the governors of the Russian regions have been given “quotas” of “voluntary” contract soldiers to fill. In practice, this means that they once again hand out quotas to lower administrative levels. By 2026, Russia will have a standing force of 1.5 million men, up from 1.15 million at the end of last year. – The leg remained Roman Ledenjov is a professional soldier and lieutenant. news meets him on his way into the recruitment center for contract soldiers. He has come to “inspire the guys”. I noticed him because he limped and walked with crutches. Lieutenant Roman Ledenjov lost one leg in combat outside Izium in Kharkiv Oblast in Ukraine last June. Photo: JURIJ LINKEVITSJ / news – I left my leg in Ukraine, says Roman. – Do you regret? – No not at all. I did my duty to the fatherland. – Are you traveling back? – No Unfortunately. I can’t run anymore because of the prosthesis. But I help with what I can here at the recruitment centre. He speaks slowly, one eyelid seems to fall down involuntarily at times. We will not ask him if he thinks Russia will win. The answer is given.
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– The aim is to destroy the enemy – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
