Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov revealed on Sunday that Russian forces would not only ‘liberate’ Eastern Ukrainian regions but will also conquer the country’s capital, Kyiv. The ambitious undertaking seems to have compelled the Kremlin to enlist Russian soldiers that have already retired a decade ago.
Chechen warriors have been on the front lines of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
UK intelligence reports that Moscow is trying to boost its military’s capability by hiring army service members who haven’t served in the military since 2012. The decision was made following “mounting losses” suffered by the Russian army.
At the same time, Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov stated that an upcoming Russian military offensive would “liberate” not just cities in Ukraine’s Donbas region. He said it will also target the capital city of Kyiv as well as “all other cities.”
In a tweet, as part of regular intelligence updates, the UK’s Defence Ministry said that Putin’s military is striving to “generate more fighting power.”
It also seeks to boost its depth by recruiting soldiers from the unrecognized Transnistria region, an area of disputed territory adjacent to Moldova, said the UK intel.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 10 April 2022
Find out more about the UK government’s response: https://t.co/8yjYrVmzHe
#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/Xd1tmsCDme
— Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) April 10, 2022
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In an unexpected admission, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Sky News on Friday, “we have significant losses of troops, and it’s a huge tragedy for us.”
But replacing fallen soldiers may not be the only reason for the draft. Kadyrov, one of Putin’s top strongmen, said in a Telegram post: “There will be an offensive … not only on Mariupol, but also on other places, cities, and villages.”
“Luhansk and Donetsk — we will fully liberate in the first place … and then take Kyiv and all other cities.”
Despite reports from the Pentagon of a Russian withdrawal from the region, Kadyrov denied the reports insisting that Russian forces aren’t going anywhere; “I assure you: not one step will be taken back.”
Kadyrov was promoted to lieutenant general of the Russian army by Putin last month.
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