Russia Deploys BARS Volunteer Fighters in Ukraine, Revealing Gaps in Military Strategy

Volunteer fighters from the BARS group were left to defend key positions with inadequate support, highlighting Russia's reliance on irregular forces to supplement its regular army.

• Around 50 volunteer fighters from the BARS group, a component of Russia's National Army Combat Reserve, were left to defend the town of Balakliia in eastern Ukraine with minimal equipment and support.
• Bodycam footage and interviews reveal the BARS unit's struggle for survival, including malfunctioning communications and lack of heavy weaponry or air support.
• Russia's defense ministry and the Kremlin have not responded to inquiries about the reliance on BARS irregulars, despite President Putin's public praise for their contributions.
• Military experts estimate that BARS contributes between 10,000 and 30,000 men to Russia's force in Ukraine, helping to avoid a general draft and plug manpower gaps.
• After a major Ukrainian counter-offensive, the BARS unit in Balakliia felt abandoned, with some fighters expressing psychological distress over their precarious situation.

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