The Russian president’s announcement came a day after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine reached the end of six months. Moscow has not disclosed any casualties in the conflict since the first weeks, but Western officials and the government in Kiev believe they number in the thousands. Putin told to make ‘crazy’ declaration of war – Ukraine news live The Russian president signed a decree on Thursday, but did not explain how the army will bolster its ranks and whether it will be through more conscription, more volunteer soldiers or a combination of both. The Kremlin said online volunteer contract soldiers were taking part in the “special military operation” in Ukraine, denying claims it was considering a widespread mobilization. According to Professor Michael Clarke, unless Russia declares “war” on Ukraine, then conscription is not allowed. Professor Clarke, former director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, said: “Then there is quite a mutiny on the front line. But that won’t stop the attack by itself. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 5:16 Untitled video “Russia is now offering large sums (3x – 4x the average monthly salary) to young men to take up the military contract and serve for just six months, with virtually no training. “Desperate stuff, but Russia will continue to feed young men into the war. Many of them will die with bulging bank accounts back home.” Mr Putin’s decree aims to increase the number of military personnel to 1,1,50,628 and takes effect on January 1. In November 2017, Mr Putin set the size of the Russian military’s combat personnel at 1.01 million out of a total armed forces strength, including non-combatants, of 1.9 million. Dozens dead on Independence Day Wednesday marked 31 years since it gained independence from the Soviet Union, a date that fell on the same day as the six-month anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Ukraine had braced for heavy attacks during the day, and a rocket attack in the town of Chaplyne killed 25 people at a train station. In the occupied town of Meltipol, in the southeast, the mayor said that resistance forces “blow up” a building used by Russian officials in the village of Pryazovsko, which is just outside the town. Read more: No city has been hit as hard and often as Mykolaiv How one Russian city is coping with sanctions Moscow families enjoy day at war games expo Ivan Fedorov posted a video on his Telegram channel that he says shows damage to the building, which was apparently being used to issue Russian passports and prepare to “vote” in a “pseudo-referendum.” The vote is designed as a way to integrate the region into Russia. Mr Fedorov also claimed on Thursday that Russia had cut off electricity to almost all areas of the Zaporizhzhia region they seized and said people were now without electricity, water and gas.
