The head of the Kremlin’s Human Rights Committee, Valery Fadeev, criticized the mobilization of reservists to fight in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued the order this week.
Fadeev has called on Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to end the strict way in which many of the country’s recruitment agencies operate. Even men without experience in armed struggle were ordered to perform their military service.
About 300,000 people are needed to mobilize. During the procedure, everything goes wrong. The leader of the Siberian Republic of Yakutia, Isin Nikolaev, admitted mistakes. “The reservists were called by mistake. They should be brought back. The work is already underway,” he said.
There are also reports on social media in Russia about people with no military background being called up anyway. The same is true for elderly or chronically ill reserve officers. Earlier it was announced that soldiers could be recruited up to the age of 35.
He always wants to reward reservists
It remains to be seen if Fadeev’s invitation will change anything. In the State Duma, Russia’s parliament, the mobilization of 300,000 reservists appears to be very high on the agenda. For example, a bill was introduced on Saturday to give soldiers who join the Russian army a one-time bonus.
The Russian state news agency reported that the reward would amount to 300,000 rubles (about 5,450 euros). RIA Novosti a favour.
