Struggling in Ukraine. Russia to recruit over-40s in the army.

London, England: Currently, Russia only allows nationals aged 18-40 and foreigners aged 18-30 to join the military. But since the invasion of Ukraine began in late February 2022, the country's defence has suffered huge setbacks and heavy losses of men and artillery. And despite capturing the strategic port city of Mariupol, the Kremlin hasn't succeeded in getting the control of Donbas region, which remains their primary objective.

So to bolster its war effort, the parliament decided on Friday it is drafting a bill to allow Russians over 40 and foreigners over 30 to sign up for the military. The information was published on the official website of the State Duma, parliament's lower house. The authorities believe older professionals would boost the military with their skills and expertise. The proposed legislation would also ease the recruitment of civilian medics, engineers along with operations and communications specialists.

It read "For the use of high-precision weapons, the operation of weapons and military equipment, highly professional specialists are needed. Experience shows that they become such by the age of 40–45."

Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges, a former commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe said, "Clearly, the Russians are in trouble. This is the latest attempt to address manpower shortages without alarming their own population. But it is growing increasingly difficult for the Kremlin to disguise their failures in Ukraine."

Jack Watling, a land warfare specialist at the British security and defence think tank RUSI, said the Russian military is facing infantry shortage. He said, "Russia needs to stabilise manning in its military units in Ukraine and generate new units if it is to improve its position on the ground," and continued, "This will be a slow and complicated process, but can be accelerated by mobilising people with existing skills and military experience."

Sergei Shoigu, Russia's Defence Minister, said that in response to the rising threat from NATO bound Finland and Sweden, they are forming 12 military units in its western military district.

Source: Reuters