In Kursk Oblast, a Russian infantry regiment made up of former Strategic Missile Forces personnel has been deployed.
Militarnyi reported on 22 October that Russia has formed an infantry unit from Strategic Missile Forces personnel (RVSN), who are usually operators of nuclear launch systems, for deployment in its conflict against Ukraine.
Faced with a shortage of manpower after the Ukraine war, Russia recruits mercenaries from around the world as well as local volunteers. The Russian Army also converts units of various branches into infantry. This is exemplified in the formation of a mechanized squadron from the crew of Russia’s only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which was previously reported. Putin, the Russian ruler, prefers to recruit volunteers in Russia rather than mobilize troops because he fears a backlash from society.
In a video released recently, Russian volunteer Vladimir Grubnik revealed that the 1st Strategic Missile Forces Regiment is now performing tasks as a regular separate Infantry regiment, in the Kursk Direction. He also noted that the unit was fighting as a traditional infantry force, with small arms and organized into separate battalions.
According to Grubnik the redeployment of contract soldiers was forced by the acute shortages in personnel on the frontline, and the lack of mobilization within Russia. The military had to recruit contract soldiers from the “non-infantry”, including both the Strategic Missile Forces, and Aerospace Forces.
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