Russian opera singers, actors and circus performers will be sent to the front lines to boost the troops’ “fragile morale” despite mounting casualties, the British Ministry of Defense said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense is setting up two “creative front brigades” to be deployed for a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
These will include a range of performers, including opera singers, actors and circus, Russian media have reported.
It follows a recent campaign by the Russian Ministry of Defense asking civilians to donate musical instruments to soldiers to keep their spirits up.
“Fragile morale almost certainly remains a key vulnerability for much of Russia’s armed forces,” Britain’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
“Military music and organized entertainment for deployed troops have a long history in many militaries, but in Russia they are deeply intertwined with the Soviet-era concept of ideological political education.”
Russian opera singers, actors and circus performers will be sent to the front lines to ‘boost the morale of the troops’. File image
Two “front-line creative brigades” will include a range of performers, including opera singers, actors and circus, Russian media reported. File image
The Russian Ministry of Defense is setting up two ‘creative front brigades’. In the photo Russian conscripts
“However, soldiers’ concerns focus on the very high casualty rate, poor leadership, pay problems, lack of equipment and ammunition, and lack of clarity about the objectives of the war.
“The efforts of the creative brigades are unlikely to substantially address these concerns.”
It was revealed yesterday that Russia is ready to “extend the conscription period for young men from one to two years.”
A senior military commissioner let the dynamite plan come out of the bag in a TV interview — likely to cause a major backlash.
The goal of the “Back to the USSR” conscription program appears to be to provide Putin with even more young men to fight his war in Ukraine.
Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Fotin said on video that 18- to 27-year-olds will be called up a year and a half from spring 2023, and two years from enlistment in fall next year.
Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Fotin said on video that Russia is ready to “extend the period of conscription for young men from one to two years”
Russia’s Defense Ministry declined to comment on the plan. President Vladimir Putin is pictured (left) with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (right) in April 2022, in the Moscow Kremlin
This would restore the conscription system in the Soviet Union.
Since 2008, men have been subject to a one-year conscription.
Fotin blamed NATO’s expansion close to Russia’s borders.
Russia’s defense ministry declined to comment on the plan, sparking a social media frenzy.
An order was immediately issued to remove Fotin’s explosive video from TV screens.
The Commissioner of the Moscow region had said: ‘There will be a transition period in the spring [2023].
‘Citizens who are called up in the spring are detained for a year and a half.
And those called up in the fall of 2023 will serve two years.
‘I think this decision is quite logical, given our northern neighbours [Sweden and Finland] join NATO.’
No such conscription plan has been officially announced, but there are strong rumors that Putin wanted to wait until after Russia’s New Year holidays to unveil the bomb.
It comes as the Transport Minister announced the extension of a travel plan to bring Ukrainian evacuees to safety in the UK today.
The Free Transit Scheme will grant all Ukrainian evacuees arriving in the UK free travel by train, bus, metro or bus for a further six months to reach their final destination.
The transport ministry said it is working with operators to ensure support for Ukrainian arrivals is in place across the country.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: ‘We know that for those who have had to flee their homes in Ukraine and seek refuge in the UK, this support has been vital, making the difficult journey to safety in part easier.
“We will continue to do everything we can to assist Ukraine and the Ukrainians, and this arrangement is an important first gesture upon their arrival in our country.”
More than 2,900 Ukrainian evacuees have taken advantage of the scheme, making it easier for Ukrainians fleeing war to reach safety and refuge in the UK.
The transport secretary said he is also writing to rail, bus and coach companies to thank them for their generosity in facilitating the scheme and for their willingness to continue offering it.
Transit is a much sought-after support area for refugees.
Launched in March 2022, the scheme offers Ukrainian arrivals a free one-way public transport journey within 48 hours of arrival at major UK gateways to their final destination in the UK.