In the last few weeks, Russian citizens have been hurling Molotov cocktails at Russian military commissariats (local administrative agencies). The arson attacks have occurred in several Russian provinces as protests against "covert mobilization," writes the Institute for the Study of War.
Russian media have reported on the domestic terrorist attacks, of which the deputy chief of the Ukrainian General Staff has said there have been "at least 12 cases of deliberate arson" against the commissariats in total, and five just last week. Two 16-year-olds were caught red-handed at a Moscow commissariat, which "suggests," continues the ISW, that "Russian citizens are likely responsible for the attacks."
Actually, Vladimir Putin is responsible. He's getting so desperate for manpower to fight his illegal war in Ukraine, senior legislators in the Duma have introduced an amendment that will eliminate age caps on military service. Russians above the age of 40 will be eligible for military service, said a statement from Russia's lower House of Parliament. Before Putin is through he'll have old geezers in walkers battling the Ukrainian army.
U.S. intelligence continues to note that Russia's armed forces are severely short of reservists, which has caused the military to combine depleted battalions. One U.S. defense official observed that Russia still has 106 battalion groups in Ukraine, but only by consolidating them from disbanded groups. The Russians are also pulling former combat units in Crimea to join fighters elsewhere.
It is with this somewhat ragtag army that Russia intends to establish governmental administrations in occupied areas of southeast Ukraine, via annexation. Russia’s deputy prime minister for infrastructure traveled the region yesterday, reported The NY Times, describing it as a "worthy place in our Russian family." He added that "I came here to provide maximum opportunities for integration. We will live and work together."
There is a great deal of doubt about that. "As he spoke," related the Times, Russian soldiers were firing on a "convoy of civilian cars trying to flee the region." Living and working together would not seem to be in either Russians or Ukrainians' future — not peaceably, anyway. And who will Putin have on hand to suppress rebellions? A bunch of old geezers in walkers, trying to stop Ukrainian citizens from hurling Molotov cocktails at military HQs.