ISW: Shoigu plans are unlikely to affect course of war

The Russian economy will not pull the rapid increase in the number of the army, according to the next summary of the analizes of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The Institute analyzes statements by Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin at the Ministry of Defense College on an increase in the Russian army and creating new divisions. ISW recalls that Shoigu proposed creating a new army corps and 17 new divisions, including three in the occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions of Ukraine.

” It is extremely unlikely that the Kremlin can form such large conventional forces in such terms that they affect the course of war in Ukraine. The formation of divisions is expensive and takes time, “ISW analysts write.

they remind that Russia was not able to fill out the staff of even the existing brigades and regiments to invasion of Ukraine and did not fully form the division by 2022, the creation of which was announced in 2020.

” The Russian economy in the recession, and its ability to create divisions since the full -scale invasion of Ukraine has decreased significantly, “ISW believes.

at the same time, American analysts note, Russia may be able to make plans proclaimed by Minister Shoig over time – but only if he decides to sacrifice the well -being of the population for this, as did in the USSR.