The Russian government starts mass mobilisation under the program "BARS" [Rus. Boevoy Armeyskiy Reserv Strany - Eng. combat army reserve of the country - LB.ua] throughout the country from 1 April. They will carry it out simultaneously with the planned conscription to conceal it.
According to the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the aggressor country will use the program to cover many of the mobilised who arrive at military recruiting offices.
Russia will use the reservists in the future to replenish the units of the occupying force in the war against Ukraine.
"At the same time, the BARS program conceals the Russian prisoners' involvement in hostilities. In particular, Russian is preparing about 100 criminals detained in the Chernokozovo penal colony (Chechen Republic) to be sent to Ukraine. They have been convicted of serious criminal offences (robbery, murder, drug distribution). Russian doesn't offer such deals to convicts who have received terms under political articles such as extremism or terrorism," the CDI said.
Criminals are promised amnesty in exchange for returning home alive. At the same time, such "mobilised" people are not allowed to see their relatives and inform them about their participation in the war in Ukraine.
The CDI added that BARS is a program of urgent formation of the Russian army reserves. Those who sign contracts receive permanent cash benefits and keep their jobs and average earnings even while in reserve. Reservists can be summoned to participate in war games (up to 1 month), where they can be involved in training and other tasks. The monthly salary under the contract reaches 12% of the serviceman's pay (depending on the rank and position). The total number of people who signed BARS contracts is about 100,000.
Russia also carries out mobilisation in the occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has prepared instructions regarding becoming a prisoner of war for those military occupiers who wanted to return home alive.