Russia's plans to hold covert mobilization in its central and southeastern regions are failing. Russians are increasingly refusing to die for the idea of the Kremlin dictator, the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff has said, quoting intelligence.
It said the Russian Defence Ministry decided to increase the number of PMC mercenaries involved in combat operations in Ukraine.
"Primarily in the war against our state, the command of the Russian armed forces is actively using representatives of the Russian Wagner (League) PMC," the statement reads.
According to estimates of Ukraine's military intelligence, there are about 4,500-5,000 mercenaries in the temporarily occupied territories. In certain areas they are acting as assault units, operating in the first line of offensive troops.
According to the Pentagon, Russia has lost between 60,000 and 80,000 troops in the war against Ukraine.