Russia recruiting from prisons again

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 26 Oct 2023 by Alex Teddy
The Defense Ministry is seeking men in prison to volunteer for service in Ukraine. Previously it was Wagner Group that did this. The men are offered their freedom and the expungement of their criminal records if they survive 6 months at the front. Salaries are USD 2,000 a month. This is enormous considering the minimum wage in Russia is USD 400. There are also high payments for wounds and death. But there have been complaints from volunteers that they are paid much less than the contracted sum. Units composed of ex-convicts are known as "Storm ". "Z" is the letter that Russia has used to denote pro-war activism. They have the word "storm" in their name as they are intended to storm Ukrainian defenses. Storm Z detachments are regarded as disposable. They are frittered away in diversionary attacks or holding positions under intense Ukrainian bombardment.  Ukrainian and Russian media have extensively commented on Storm Z units and so have Russian politicians. Storm Z units are poorly equipped and often short of rations and ammunition. Russia conserves professional units and uses them only for well-supported attacks. Professional soldiers who are ill-disciplined can be relegated to Storm Z units. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with an estimated 200,000 troops. It suffered severe logistical problems. Russia has dramatically upgraded its logistics. That is partly because it is not advancing and has held some positions for 20 months. Some estimates say Russia now has 400,000 troops in Ukraine. An invader is said to need a 3 to 1 advantage to succeed. Russia does not have this. But the Ukrainian counter-offensive has failed partly because it does not have a numerical ...

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