Russian defence chief: over 200,000 people drafted within ‘partial mobilisation’ so far

Over 200,000 people have been drafted into the Russian armed forces during the “partial mobilisation” so far, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated, quoted by state news agency TASS.

“Personnel training of the newly formed units is underway at 80 testing grounds and in six training centres,” he said.

According to the defence chief, the mobilised will be sent to “combat areas” after they complete “combat coordination”. They will be sent to the combat zone alongside units that have already taken part in the “special operation” in Ukraine, Shoigu said.

Shoigu has also promised that the soldiers currently doing mandatory one-year conscript service will return home after they are discharged. Meanwhile, the newly enlisted conscripts will not be sent to the “special military operation” zone.

Shoigu earlier declared that women and university students would not be drafted under “partial mobilisation”. Nevertheless, since the start of the mobilisation, there have been numerous cases of women and students handed draft papers.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated earlier that after undergoing “combat coordination”, units consisting of the newly drafted men and volunteers would be tasked with controlling and defending the “liberated” Ukrainian territories.

On 21 September, Vladimir Putin announced a “partial mobilisation” in Russia. The Russian Defence Ministry stated that up to 300,000 people would be drafted. Meanwhile, a source of Novaya Gazeta. Europe in the Kremlin stated that up to a million people might be drafted into the army in accordance with the hidden article of the mobilisation order. The Kremlin denied these reports.

The Defence Ministry reported earlier that there is no clearly established priority mobilisation, however, the army needs shooters, tank operators, artillerymen, drivers and auto technicians. According to the ministry, priority will be given to men with combat experience.