Many of the newly mobilised soldiers Moscow has sent to the Ukraine frontline in recent weeks are armed with “barely usable” weapons, according to British defence analysts.

The Kremlin declared a partial mobilisation of up to 300,000 reservists in September, but the Ministry of Defence believes they could be using weapons that date back to the 1950s.

Russia’s newly deployed reservists are thought “in many cases” to be “poorly equipped” as Moscow struggles with “strained logistics systems”.

Open source images suggest that the troops have been issued with rifles of a type which could be over 60 years old.

The intelligence update, posted by the MoD on Twitter, said: “In September, Russian officers were concerned that some recently mobilised reservists were arriving in Ukraine without weapons.

“Open source images suggest that those rifles which have been issued to mobilised reservists are typically AKMs, a weapon first introduced in 1959. Many are likely in barely usable condition following poor storage.

“AKM fires 7.62mm ammunition while Russia’s regular combat units are mostly armed with 5.45mm AK-74M or AK-12 rifles.

Ukraine war: ‘There is only us and them – enemies’ – Ukrainians dug in trenches on Belarus and Russia frontline

Ukraine war: Cost-of-living crisis could erode public support for sanctions against Russia

Claims Russian troops need to ‘de-Satanise’ Ukraine criticised – as ‘holy war’ comparisons made

“The integration of reservists with contract soldiers and combat veterans in Ukraine will mean Russian logisticians will have to push two types of small arms ammunition to frontline positions, rather than one.

“This will likely further complicate Russia’s already strained logistics systems.”

The AKM is an assault rifle designed by Soviet firearms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov as a replacement for the more famous AK-47. Experts say it is the most widely used of the Kalashnikov rifles.

It remains in use around the world but was officially replaced in Soviet frontline service by the AK-74 in the late 1970s.

It comes amid renewed Russian air assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Ukraine war live: 80% of Kyiv without water as Russia hits key infrastructure – and emergency blackouts begin

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Over 50 missiles struck Ukraine overnight which is a marked increase in comparison the attacks over the past eight months.

Sean Bell, a retired air-vice marshal, told Sky News Vladimir Putin was striking non-military targets in a bid to demoralise and terrorise the Ukrainian population.

“The irony is, for most of the Ukrainians, this will have quite the opposite effect, it will galvanise their support and harden their resolve,” he said.

Related posts:

‘Look beyond our differences’: Pope Francis meets with senior Iraqi Shia cleric Little power, petrol or even paracetamol – it’s a wonder there isn’t open conflict in Lebanon La Palma volcano spews searing hot boulders the size of three-storey buildings Eleven taking part in ritual drown in big waves on Indonesian beach Victims’ families urge start of new inquest into Ireland’s worst fire disaster ‘Very imminent’: Bombs could drop on Ukraine minutes after Putin gives order, armed forces minister says Biden tells China’s Xi of ‘consequences’ if Beijing gives Russia material support for Ukraine war Syria’s President Assad pictured meeting UAE rulers in first visit since brutal civil war began At least two dead and 70 injured as stand collapses at Colombian bullfight Wives and partners of G7 leaders hold their own summit as they try out Nordic walking Beijing chief says city to ‘maintain zero-COVID policy for next five years’ – before time reference removed Hanover turns off the lights and hot water as it braces for winter energy crisis