Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s mobilization of 300,000 reservists could only compound failure, Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a news conference today.
Putin has called up 300,000 Russian reservists for his unjust and unprovoked war in Ukraine. He also indirectly rattled his atomic quiver.
His action follows a Ukrainian counter-offensive that has driven Russian forces out of Kharkiv and liberated more than 3,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory. In August, DOD Policy Chief Colin Kahl said the Russians had lost between 50,000 and 70,000 military personnel in their war against Ukraine.
Putin’s mobilizations would be “primarily reservists or retired Russian military personnel,” Ryder said.
These are not like reserve formations in the United States. The US military’s reserve components are trained and ready to deploy in hours, days, or weeks, as needed.
Following the Russian model, these are people who have completed their service and are being recalled. “In our estimation, it will take time for Russia to train, prepare and equip these forces,” Ryder said.
Russian actions in the war against Ukraine point to severe command and control problems and a breakdown in logistics since the invasion began on February 24. These issues remained unresolved and contributed to Russian operations in March and December not taking the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv amid Russia’s inability to make much headway in the Donbass region in April.
The mobilization “could address a personnel issue for Russia,” Ryder said. “What isn’t clear is whether or not it could significantly address the command and control, the logistics, the maintenance, and most importantly, the morale issues that we’ve seen with Russian forces in Ukraine.”
If Russia cannot command, maintain and equip the approximately 100,000 troops it has in Ukraine, adding 300,000 additional troops will not improve the situation. “If you’re already facing significant challenges and haven’t addressed some of those systemic strategic issues that make any major military force capable, there’s nothing to suggest that adding more variables to the equation will make things easier,” Ryder said.
The United States and its partners will continue a very open and rigorous dialogue with Ukrainian counterparts to understand the country’s needs. “I don’t see these talks as affected by the situation [with mobilization]’ said the General. “I think it’s important to give a little context here. If we go back in time a little, Russia invaded Ukraine and tried to annex all of Ukraine.
“They missed that strategic goal and therefore reduced the scope of their operational goals,” he continued. “Even those are not going well because of Ukraine’s counter-offensive and the issues I highlighted in terms of logistics and sustainability.”
Putin’s announcement of mobilization, planning mock referendums in conquered areas of Donbass or threatening to attack areas “does not change the operational facts on the ground, which is that Ukrainians will continue to fight for their country,” Ryder said. “Russia’s military faces some significant challenges on the ground, and the international community will stand with Ukraine as it fights to protect its country from invasion.”