The russian General Staff and Ministry of Defense are exerting "serious pressure" on the kremlin, urging it to declare a new mobilization to replenish forces in Ukraine, European officials familiar with intelligence data told The Economist, as reported by "The Moscow Times" Telegram channel.
"Russia currently lacks sufficient forces. Even if they achieved a breakthrough, they wouldn’t be able to exploit it", - explained a senior NATO official.
According to sources, the russian military continues to rely on outdated battlefield tactics, resulting in high casualties. The decision to bring in North Korean soldiers, reportedly being sent to the Kursk front, highlights a personnel shortage in russian units, The Economist notes.
Meanwhile, the russian army will not be able to occupy all of the Donetsk oblast this year, stated Alexei Zhuravlev, the first deputy chair of the russian State Duma's Defense Committee, on October 29.