russia repurposes nuclear forces personnel as infantry amid manpower shortages

russia has formed anantry regiment from Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) personnel – traditionally operators of nuclear launch facilities – for deployment in its war against Ukraine, according to Militarnyi‘s report on 22 October.

russia, facing manpower shortages after losses in Ukraine, recruits foreign mercenaries across the world and local volunteers. Additionally, the russian Army converts units from various branches intoantry, as exemplified by the previously reported formation of a mechanized battalion from the crew of Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov. russia’s ruler putin favors volunteer recruitment in russia over mobilization, allegedly fearing societal backlash.

In a recent video, russian volunteer Vladimir Grubnik, supporting russia’s army, revealed that “the 1st Strategic Missile Forces regiment is now performing tasks of a regular separate infantry regiment in the Kursk direction.” He noted that the unit is fighting as a conventional infantry force with small arms, organized into separate battalions.

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