In a report in the same publication, Danil Frolkin, a member who has fought in the Kyiv and Donetsk sectors, is quoted as saying Russian commanders refused to accept the letters, adding: “I wrote several statements I refuse to fight and [brigade command] told me to f*** off. They won’t end my contract and they won’t let me go home.”
Putin is betting on a professional army the West has said sustained significant losses in the war.
If Russia cannot recruit enough contract soldiers, Putin’s options include using conscripts, mobilising Russian society or scaling back his war aims.
Although the Russian president has repeatedly said in public conscripts should not fight in the Ukraine war, Russia’s defence ministry has said some already have.
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