According to British estimates, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Russia to motivate its auxiliary troops from the separatist areas loyal to Moscow for the ongoing war against Ukraine. Some commanders would probably promise their soldiers financial incentives, the Ministry of Defense announced in London on Monday, citing intelligence findings. Some formations would be considered unreliable and therefore not tasked with attacking.
As an example, the ministry cited a video from mid-August in which members of a unit from the self-proclaimed “Luhansk People’s Republic” are said to have refused to take part in offensive operations. The fighters had emphasized that they had fulfilled their task by completely conquering the area. Despite threats and intimidation, the men did not want to continue fighting in the neighboring “Donetsk People’s Republic”.
The fact that Russia continues to classify the war as a “military special operation” contributes to these personnel problems, it was said in London. Because without general mobilization, the state would have no legal recourse to force citizens into military service and will continue to be dependent on auxiliary troops.