All articles tagged with #military mobilization
Israel is preparing for a major military operation to take Gaza City, calling up tens of thousands of reservists amid concerns over troop fatigue, motivation, and potential manpower shortages, with some reservists hesitant to serve again and political debates affecting military conscription.
Israel plans to mobilize 60,000 reservists in preparation for an invasion of Gaza City, indicating escalating military tensions in the region.
Over 700 Marines have been mobilized to support LA protests, joining thousands of National Guard members, marking a significant escalation in military involvement in domestic protests, with their specific tasks yet to be publicly detailed and facing criticism from California officials.
Russian officials and milbloggers expressed concerns over security following a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot in Rostov Oblast. The Russian military may be deploying under-equipped units due to industrial constraints or to support ongoing assaults in Ukraine. Ukraine secured security agreements and aid packages post-NATO summit, regained positions near Vovchansk, while Russian forces advanced near Avdiivka. Russian Defense Committee Chairman stated that mobilized servicemembers will not be demobilized before the war ends.
Ukraine's top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that the country will need to mobilize fewer troops than initially expected to defend against Russia's invasion, with the figure significantly reduced after a review of resources. Syrskyi emphasized the importance of non-combat units and combat-support roles in Ukraine's defense effort, highlighting the war of attrition and logistics against the Russian invaders. He also mentioned the preparation of "powerful" defensive lines in threatening areas and expressed the need for more ammunition and air defense capabilities from Western partners to maintain positions.
Ukrainian infantry units are facing a critical shortage of soldiers, leading to exhaustion and diminished morale on the front line, as Russia regains the offensive initiative. President Zelensky is in disagreement with military leadership over the need to mobilize nearly 500,000 new troops, while financial strain and stalled aid packages further complicate the situation. The lack of personnel and ammunition has resulted in extended deployments, exhaustion, and a crumbling front line, prompting calls for clearer messaging and the need for rest and reinforcements.
The head of the British army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, warns UK citizens to prepare for a war on the scale of the great conflicts of the 20th Century, likening the situation in Ukraine to the crises of 1914 and 1937. He insists that only 'citizen armies' will be able to defeat the coming onslaught on the West's way of life, calling for a near-doubling in size of the British army and a level of civic mobilization not seen in Western Europe since 1945. This follows months of ominous warnings from key NATO members, with Germany making contingency plans for a massive Russian assault on Western Europe, specifically the Baltic states.
Ukraine is embroiled in a heated debate over the future of its military draft as heavy casualties and prolonged conflict take a toll on the nation's morale. President Zelensky is considering mobilizing up to 500,000 people to counter the Russian forces, while a proposed bill aims to lower the draft age and introduce penalties for evasion. The debate has sparked controversy, with suggestions ranging from draft lotteries to financial exemptions, and has led to discussions about the fairness and sustainability of the current mobilization strategy.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov plans to call on Ukrainian men living abroad to join the armed forces as the country seeks to mobilize up to 500,000 more soldiers to defend against the Russian invasion. Noncompliance may result in penalties, although the specific form of penalties is yet to be determined. Germany has pledged additional financial assistance to bolster Ukraine's energy system, which is a major target for Russian attacks. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban opposes EU funding for Ukraine to come from the bloc's budget, while Ukraine has received the final tranche of a €18 billion aid package from the EU. Russia is struggling to keep its aviation sector afloat due to Western sanctions, with over $12 billion in state subsidies and loans paid out to maintain civilian planes. Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 34 out of 35 Russian drones during the night.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering mobilizing 500,000 more troops to replenish Kyiv's forces against Russia, with a potential cost of $13.4 billion. Zelensky expressed confidence that the US will provide additional aid, despite some Republican senators appearing unsupportive during his recent visit to the States. He also expects the European Union to contribute $55 billion in financial support. The conflict with Russia could last until 2025, according to Zelensky.
Ukraine's President Zelensky announced that the military is seeking to mobilize up to 500,000 additional soldiers as the war with Russia approaches its two-year mark. This comes after setbacks in aid from the US and the EU. Ukraine is facing an ammunition shortage and fears being outgunned by Russian forces. Zelensky emphasized the need for more details before committing to the plan and ruled out mobilizing women. He expressed confidence in Ukraine's ability to resist Russian invasion and discussed plans for drone production and restoring Ukraine's borders.
A grassroots movement led by women in Russia is challenging the government's argument for keeping soldiers mobilized indefinitely in Ukraine. The movement, which has gained momentum in recent weeks, seeks to stage public protests against long deployments and demand the return of soldiers to their families. While the Kremlin has attempted to suppress anti-war demonstrations, authorities have so far used intimidation and cajoling rather than detention or arrests. The protesters are calling for troop rotations and have created a Telegram channel to organize their efforts. The government has responded by offering more money and benefits to families of soldiers, but many women argue that they need their loved ones back home, not just financial compensation.
The head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has called on Russia to provide him with 200,000 troops to stop the Ukrainian counteroffensive, as Ukrainian troops reportedly pushed past Russian defensive lines and made ground around the devastated Donetsk city of Bakhmut. Prigozhin urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to announce a full national mobilization to expand its military forces. Ukrainian forces have already broken through the line of defense in several areas, according to Prigozhin.
Belarus has partially restored controls on its border with Russia for the first time in 28 years, citing the need to avoid the entry of third-country nationals into Belarus. However, human rights activists believe the border checks will target Russian men trying to avoid mobilization into the Russian army. Russia and Belarus have an alliance agreement under which the Kremlin subsidizes the Belarusian economy, via loans and discounted Russian oil and gas. Thousands of Russians have fled to Belarus to escape mobilization and persecution in Russia after the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian lawmakers have voted to enforce an electronic draft system that would make it nearly impossible for men to avoid conscription, ahead of Ukraine's widely anticipated spring offensive. The new rules, which could be enforced as early as this week, mean that a conscription notice will be considered delivered and legally valid as soon as it lands in one’s account on Russia’s state portal for electronic services. The changes appear to give the Kremlin a much more streamlined system that would enable a more thorough conscription effort, closing loopholes that have helped thousands dodge the draft.