The Institute for the Study of War in the US has identified the use of conscripted soldiers in the Kursk region as a vulnerability for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian forces have captured around 600 Russian soldiers, mostly conscripts, since crossing the border into Kursk region three weeks ago. This has caused anger among families and raised concerns about the treatment of young, inexperienced soldiers who likely did not expect to see combat on Russian territory during their mandatory military service.
Analysts believe that conscripts make up the majority of the defending force in Kursk, leading to their capture and encirclement by Ukrainian forces. The Institute for the Study of War suggests that Putin’s handling of conscripts in the region could have social repercussions in the future. The Russian NGO “Get Lost” has seen an increase in people seeking to avoid conscription and escape the war since the incursion into Kursk began. Some conscripts are being forced to sign contracts to continue participating in combat beyond Kursk, potentially for the duration of Putin’s rule or the war itself.
The next conscription is set to begin on October 1st, with new conscripts required to have served for four months and acquired a military specialty before participating in the “counter-terrorism operation”. However, as seen with the Kursk conscripts, these soldiers may be sent into combat sooner than expected. The use of conscripts in the Kursk conflict has raised concerns about their treatment and the potential long-term implications for Putin’s domestic image and support.
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