Kremlin snuffbox/Кремлевская табакерка, Dec 8 2025Belousov demanded a stricter selection process for contract soldiers sent to the Northern Military District
The Ministry of Defense has repeatedly noted the "poor combat performance" of many new contract soldiers [
https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/6020 ]. But now, according to our sources within the ministry, the situation has become so dire that Andrei Belousov has been forced to intervene personally.
"Andrei Removich has ordered a significant tightening of the selection process for those joining the SVO under contract. And a strict weeding out of those who, in the hopes of a quick end to hostilities, are hoping to join the army, earn money, and avoid fighting. They'll have to fight!" said one of our sources.
Another noted that the minister was "shocked" by the statistics regarding contract soldiers at the front:
"I won't reveal all the figures; that's classified information.
But I can say that, on average, a contract soldier at the front lives 2.5-4 months. Then comes death or serious injury, after which he's no longer a fighter. The reasons for such dismal statistics are the low quality of personnel and problems with motivation. And something needs to be done about this."
The source noted that measures to combat this negative trend have already been developed. He urged that only those who truly want to fight, or at least understand that they will have to fight no matter what, and the SVO definitely won't end tomorrow, should sign up for the contract.
https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/6515