Russia reportedly suffering “severe” shortage of military personnel in Ukraine, US intelligence says

Latest news on the war pitting Russia and Ukraine.

Senior U.S. officials have assured that Russia would be facing a “severe” shortage of military personnel in Ukraine, which is why it would be looking for new ways to reinforce its troop levels, including the use of prisoners.

“The Russian military is suffering from a severe shortage of personnel in Ukraine. We believe the Russian Defense Ministry is trying to recruit contract service members to make up for this personnel shortage, including by forcing wounded soldiers back into combat, acquiring personnel from private security companies, and paying bonuses to recruits,” a U.S. official has told CNN.

This U.S. assessment is based on downgraded intelligence confirmed to CNN by two U.S. officials, who detailed that Russia is “likely” to begin recruiting convicted criminals in Ukraine “in exchange for pardons and financial compensation.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree last week to increase the number of Russian Army servicemen in Ukraine by 137,000, bringing the total number of servicemen on Ukrainian territory to 1,150,628.

The latest balance sheet provided by Ukraine of Russian soldiers killed during the war amounts to 41,000.