Army corps of volunteers: the Kremlin is apparently launching a new large unit

Moscow wants to compensate for its heavy losses in Ukraine by creating a new corps of volunteers. According to reports, the association is now on its way to the war zone. However, British analysts do not believe that the unit is capable of great fighting power.

According to British secret services, Russia is still trying to generate reinforcements for the Ukraine war in view of the high losses. Volunteer battalions of the new so-called third army corps are said to have left their base near Moscow by August 24 – presumably in the direction of Ukraine. According to London sources, these units are likely to lack staff and good training.

The Russian research group Conflict Intelligence Team reported at the weekend that Russia was moving its newly formed corps to the front. The group relies on pictures taken by Russian citizens of troop transports across the country and posted on the Internet. It shows Buk anti-aircraft systems and T-80 and T-90 tanks loaded onto trains. Accordingly, the relocation of such air defense systems is an indication of the relocation of a large military unit.

Based on the markings on the military equipment, the analysts also see many indications that it is material from the 3rd Army Corps. The corps will be transferred in its entirety. The device has been brought to the front by rail since August 22nd or 23rd. The analysts identify the contested Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhia as targets.

The British Ministry of Defense reported in early August on Russian recruitment efforts for the Third Army Corps. The recruits – males up to the age of 50 and with high school diplomas – would be offered lucrative bonuses. The headquarters of the new unit will be in Mulino, a settlement in the Nizhny Novgorod region east of Moscow.

However, it is unlikely that the corps will have a decisive influence on the war, according to London. Because the Russians will probably not succeed in bringing the formation to the usual troop strength of 15,000 to 20,000. The motivation among the population to go to war against Ukraine is low.