Recruits vs. Regulars: Mass Fighting at a Military Base Near Moscow

Recruiting vs. contract players
Massive conflict at military base near Moscow

10/3/2022 6:44 PM

Things did not go well with the Russian regional mobilization. Even though they are chronically ill, the placeholders are drafted. There is shortage of equipment in many places. President Putin publicly admits mistakes. The latest episode of Tragedy has it all.

Against the backdrop of partial mobilization in Russia, according to media reports, there was a mass fight between newly drafted and long-serving regular soldiers at a military base near Moscow. “The newcomers were not welcomed there with bread and salt – on the contrary: the soldiers who served there demanded clothes and mobile phones from the newcomers,” reports the Internet portal Basa.

The conflict turned into a mass fight – in which the new recruits gained the upper hand. They reportedly beat their tormentors so badly that about 20 regulars finally locked themselves in a building and called the police for help. The conflict ended only after their arrival. Both parties declined to comment.

The clash falls within a whole series of tensions sparked by a regional demobilization ordered by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin nearly two weeks ago. Media reported that the march was chaotic at many places. For example, men are invited despite previous illnesses or qualifications, or after being invited, some are dropped into the open without a coach. In many places there is shortage of clothing, equipment and food.

According to lawyer Pavel Chikov, six of the conscripts died during training before they were actually scheduled to take part in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The Russian president himself said last week that all errors in calling bookers “must be corrected”. Putin said anyone mistakenly sent to the front should return home. This also applies to fathers of large families. The Kremlin leader called on the Prosecutor General’s Office to prosecute those who violate the mobilization.