UK says Russia looking to deploy more troops to replace ‘considerable losses’

24 March 2022, 8:07 am

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Cars drive past a destroyed Russian tank as a convoy of vehicles evacuating civilians leaves Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, March 9, 2022. (Vadim GhirdaAP)

The United Kingdom’s Defense Ministry says Russia is looking to mobilize reservists, conscripts, and mercenaries to replace its “considerable losses” amid the month-long invasion of Ukraine.

“Russian forces have almost certainly suffered thousands of casualties during their invasion of Ukraine,” the ministry says in a new intelligence report.

“Russia is likely now looking to mobilise its reservist and conscript manpower, as well as private military companies and foreign mercenaries, to replace these considerable losses,” it says.

“It is unclear how these groups will integrate into the Russian ground forces in Ukraine and the impact this will have on combat effectiveness,” the report adds.