The UK Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that Russia is digging in for a protracted fight in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces enforcing more troops across the Ukraine’s eastern provinces in preparation “for future offensive operations” amid the intense war.
“Despite President Putin’s claim on 07 July 2022 that the Russian military has ‘not even started’ its efforts in Ukraine, many of its reinforcements are ad hoc groupings, deploying with obsolete or inappropriate equipment,” the statement read.
According to the reports, the Russian alleged plan was exposed following a series of reports of Russian soldiers and potential draftees escaping the conflict.
After Russia started the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 22-year old Danila Davydov, an artist from St. Petersburg left the country shortly over fears he could be drafted.
“I didn’t want to go to war or go to prison, so I decided to leave. I love Russia and miss it very much.” Davydov, who is now in Kazakhstan, said.
Russian experts, lawyers and Human rights groups in the country claimed that cases like Davydov are skyrocketing with more Russians looking to avoid the war as the Russian military takes heavy casualties.
Late March, Russia disclosed the updated official death toll with a total number of 1,351 soldiers. However, Ukraine and its Western allies claimed the real number was much higher, potentially more than 10 times that figure.
Amid the Ukraine crisis, Russia imposed a mandatory military service for those 18 to 27. According to the reports, the penalty for escaping and dodging can include fines and up to two years in prison. However, Russian President Putin disproved the media’s claims and argued that ordinary Russians would not be drafted into the conflict.
Meanwhile in England, the government has announced a new military program that would train over 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers across the United Kingdom.
“This ambitious new training program is the next phase in the UK’s support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression,” Ben Wallace, the country’s Defense Secretary said in a recent press statement.
“Using the world-class expertise of the British Army we will help Ukraine to rebuild its forces and scale-up its resistance as they defend their country’s sovereignty and their right to choose their own future.” Wallace added.
