Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the army will be restructured to implement the troop increase demanded by the Kremlin. Only through structural changes in the military can Russia’s security be guaranteed, Shoigu told a Defense Ministry meeting on Tuesday. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin announced shortly before New Year’s Eve that he would increase the number of troops from 1.15 to 1.5 million.
Two large territorial units
According to Schoigu, two large territorial units will be created that combine several branches of arms; the military districts of Moscow and Leningrad. Independent military units will also be deployed in Russian-annexed Ukrainian areas. In addition, Shoigu announced the establishment of an army corps in the Republic of Karelia in northern Russia. This may be a reaction to the planned NATO membership of Scandinavian countries Sweden and Finland.
The combat effectiveness of the fleet, air force and missile forces must also be strengthened, Shoigu demanded. The renovation of the structures should therefore be completed between 2023 and 2026. Due to a large number of defeats in the war of aggression against Ukraine, the military leadership in Moscow is faced with numerous problems and shortcomings that now need to be remedied. (apa, dpa)