‘Mobilisation 2.0’ plan to recruit extra 300,000 soldiers according to Kremlin sources

The Russian Defence Ministry is planning to recruit a further 300,000 soldiers for deployment in Ukraine in a second secretive mobilisation effort, Russian independent news outlet Verstka reported on Friday.

While no official announcement regarding a second mobilisation has been made by either the Defence Ministry or the Kremlin, anonymous high-ranking sources confirmed that some military units were already readying for it. Additional uniform and weaponry request forms have already been handed out to enlistment offices in anticipation of this campaign, according to one Verstka source working in military recruitment.

As well as calling up reservists who have not been previously drafted, servicemen whose conscription terms are due to run out April are to be “persuaded by all means” to sign contracts to continue their service, according to Verstka sources close to the Kremlin.

However, sources also said that the authorities would “not be limited” to reservists and former conscripts. Verstka reported that the Defence Ministry also intended to recruit veterans discharged from service, those who studied at military universities and those who completed civilian alternatives to military service.