Russian authorities say that 300,000 reservists will be called up, but media reports indicate that the number may be higher
The Kremlin has admitted mistakes in seeking to mobilize Russian army reservists for the fight in Ukraine, amid growing public opposition.
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “There have been cases where the decree was violated,” adding that “all errors will be corrected.”
Several reports say that people without military experience – or who are elderly or disabled – have been called up to serve in the army.
The mobilization decree issued last week sparked widespread protests.
President Putin announced what he described as a partial mobilization on September 21, with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu later saying that 300,000 reservists would be called up for service.
But reports in Russian opposition media have suggested that as many as one million people may be summoned, noting that a paragraph believed to be talking regarding the exact number of reservists needed was removed from the published version of Putin’s decree on the Kremlin’s official website.
A number of experts in the West and Ukraine say that Putin’s decision to call up the reserves shows that Russian forces are failing on the battlefields in Ukraine – more than seven months following the start of the Russian invasion.
Since the announcement of the mobilization decree, more than 2,000 people have been detained in protests across Russia.
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, admitted mistakes had been made in a brief press release on Monday.
“The governors are actively working to rectify the situation” in some areas, he said.
Peskov also said that he was not aware of any decisions to close the Russian borders and impose martial law in the country.
Media reports had indicated earlier that this measure may be taken to prevent potential recruits from escaping abroad.
In the latest sign of the growing popular protests, an army conscription officer was seriously injured in the Siberian city of Ust-Limsk on Monday.
Videos spread on social media apparently showing the attacker approaching the officer and shooting him. Then people in the building are seen screaming and running in panic following the gunman shouted at them to flee.
Over the weekend, crowds of protesters in the Russian Federation’s northern Caucasus republic of Dagestan clashed with police over the military mobilization decision. The independent Russian human rights observatory “Ovi D-Info” said that more than 100 people were arrested during the protests that took place in the regional capital, Makhachkala.
There were also reports of arson attacks on recruitment centers and other administrative buildings across Russia.
In his announcement regarding the partial mobilization last week, Putin did not specify how many reservists would be called up.
But Shoigu, speaking right following the president, said that 30,000 reservists — people with military experience who need specialized skills — would be recruited.
The minister said that this number constitutes only a little more than one percent of the 25 million conscripts in Russia’s military reserve. This process will be spread over several months.
The mobilization decree stipulated the application of certain restrictions related to age and disability. He did not provide any additional details on this matter. It is believed that males between the ages of 18-60 years – and in some cases this may include those who are older than that – can be recruited.
Russian commentators cast serious doubt on the president’s and his defense minister’s promises that the recall would be limited.
They also point out that the decree says nothing regarding exceptions, such as not conscripting students or conscripts.
It is believed that it was left to local leaders to decide who would be called in to meet the quotas.
Russia had amassed regarding 190,000 soldiers along the border with Ukraine before the start of the invasion on February 24.