According to British estimates, planned compulsory military training in Russian schools should increase young people’s willingness to mobilize and perform military service. The training is designed to equip students approaching military service age with military skills, the Defense Ministry said in London on Sunday, citing intelligence findings.
“This initiative is also likely part of a wider project to instill in the Russian people an ideology of patriotism and trust in public institutions,” it said.
The training is expected to start in September 2023
The Russian Ministry of Defense supports the program and has determined that a minimum of 140 hours per academic year will be allocated to the so-called military preparation course, according to the British authority. The training should start in September 2023. Similar programs involving preparations for chemical or nuclear attack, first aid and target practice also existed in the Soviet Union, but were discontinued in 1993.
Russian authorities wanted to resume training after annexing Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula from Crimea, they said in London. “There was hope that this initiative would improve the quality of the conscripts.” But that did not happen. In fact, morale was low and training limited. A new training program is currently being prepared and should be available by the end of the year.
The British Ministry of Defense has published information on the course of the war on a daily basis, based on intelligence information, since the start of the Russian offensive against Ukraine at the end of February. With this, the British government wants to both counter the Russian image and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
