War in Ukraine, Russia 'Conscripting Incompetents'

 Reports of substandard recruitment of additional troops to Ukraine have sparked unease in Russia and mass protests against the 'overage'.

According to the British news agency Reuters, a staunchly pro-Kremlin editor at Russia's state-run RT news channel has expressed anger that recruiting officers are sending out recruitment papers to men who are not eligible.

Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan said on her Telegram channel that "recruitment was announced for people up to the age of 35, but the appointment papers are being sent to people aged 40."

"It seems as if they are deliberately provoking people as if they were sent by Kief," he said.

The Ministry of Defense has said that the deputy minister in charge of logistics, General Dmitri Bulgakov, has been transferred to other responsibilities, while Colonel General Mikhail Mezentsev has been appointed in his place.

Mizentsev was dubbed the "Butcher of Mariupol" by the European Union for his role in the siege of the Ukrainian port early in the war that killed thousands of civilians.

There have been reports of 'call-up papers' being issued even to men who do not have much experience in the army.

Officials said the additional troop deployment to Ukraine would require 300,000 military personnel, with a preference for those with recent military experience and critical skills.

The Kremlin has denied reports by two foreign news outlets that the actual target was more than 1 million.

"Pro-Moscow authorities know they are sending people to their deaths," says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of additional troops to Ukraine, there have been protests over the recruitment of inexperienced and overage men into the military.

On the other hand, President Putin's allies have expressed concern over this situation.

Two of Russia's most senior lawmakers ordered regional authorities on Sunday to take control of the situation and quickly resolve "excesses" that have fueled public anger.

Two of Russia's top parliamentarians, a close ally of President Putin, have spoken clearly of public anger.

Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of Russia's upper house of the Federation Council, said they are aware of reports of men who should be disqualified from conscription.

In a post on the Telegram messaging app, she said, "Such abuses are totally unacceptable and I think it is absolutely right that this situation is evoking a strong reaction in the society."

In a direct message to Russia's regional governors, he wrote to ensure that the deployment of additional troops meets the specified criteria.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia's lower house, State Duma, has also expressed concern in a post.

He said that complaints are being received. If a mistake has been made, it must be corrected. Authorities at every level should understand their responsibilities.