According to the British assessment, a planned campaign to recruit volunteers in Russia for the war against Ukraine is only a cover for new compulsory drafts. "There is a realistic possibility that in practice this distinction will become blurred and that regional authorities will try to meet their assigned recruitment targets by forcing men to join," the Ministry of Defense said in London on Thursday, citing intelligence findings. According to Russian media, 400,000 volunteers are to be recruited.

According to the British ministry, the alleged "volunteer model" is intended to minimize dissatisfaction in the country as much as possible. "It is highly unlikely that the campaign will attract 400,000 real volunteers." Not only fresh staff is necessary. "Russia needs more ammunition and armaments than it currently has," it said.

The British Ministry of Defense has been issuing daily updates on the course of the war since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.