Russia likely preparing for another round of ‘partial mobilization’

UK intelligence said that on Jan. 22, 2023, media reported that Russian border guards were preventing dual passport holding Kyrgyz migrant workers from leaving Russia, telling the men that their names were on mobilization lists.

Separately, on Jan. 23, 2023, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the decree on “partial mobilization” continues to remain in force, claiming the decree remained necessary for supporting the work of the Russian Armed Forces.

The UK Ministry of Defense noted that observers had questioned why the measure had not been formally rescinded.

“The Russian leadership highly likely continues to search for ways to meet the high number of personnel required to resource any future major offensive in Ukraine, while minimizing domestic dissent,” the ministry said in its daily summary.

On Jan. 13, Ukrainian intelligence claimed Russia planned to swell its army up to two million of personnel by forming strategic reserves.

Read also: Putin may announce second mobilization wave in Russia, or declare war, says ISW

Earlier, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that Russia was going to announce a new wave of mobilization on Jan. 5, 2023.

Also, the Kremlin denied reports that restrictions on men drafted to military service on going abroad were imposed on Jan. 9.

Oleksii Reznikov, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, then addressed the Russian conscripts and persons liable for military service, saying that the regime of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was going to impose martial law and close the border for men of military age, amid huge Russian losses in the war and a new wave of mobilization.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine