- Numerous Draftees Unaccounted for in Kursk
During the Ukrainian counterattack in the Kursk area, numerous Russian drafted soldiers have been reported missing or captured, as per news reports. At least 81 conscripts are unaccounted for, with another 38 identified as captives in videos released by the Ukrainian military, as reported by BBC's Russian service.
Initially, Russian President Vladimir Putin guaranteed that only contract soldiers and volunteers would participate in the war zone against Ukraine. However, the Kremlin does not consider the defense of Kursk as part of the supposed "military special operation."
Officially, Russia does not disclose its losses in Kursk. Yet, it's known that at least two conscripts have perished in combat since early August. The true number is most likely much greater. The BBC's data on missing conscripts is derived from online pleas from their families who have not heard from them since the commencement of the Ukrainian offensive.
Media outlets indicate that conscripts from different regions are being relocated to Kursk. The Russian military leadership in Moscow aims to maintain its attacks in Ukraine without withdrawing too many professional soldiers from the occupied country. However, the risk for the Kremlin is that public backing for the war could dwindle rapidly with high casualties among conscripts.
The commander of the Chechen special unit "Achmat," Apti Alaudinow, has already dismissed criticism by asserting that Russia doesn't require young men who are not prepared to defend their country.
Despite Putin's initial promise to only use contract soldiers and volunteers in Ukraine, a large number of conscripts have been reported missing or captured in the Kursk area. This raised concerns within the Kremlin about potential loss of public support for the military operation, as conscript casualties increase.
