- Defence Minister Shoigu says 300,000 reservists to be drafted.
- Shoigu says 5,937 Russian soldiers died so far.
- Mobilisation necessary to "consolidate" seized territories
LONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Russia will draft 300, 000 reservists to support its military campaign in Ukraine, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday in televised remarks.
In Moscow's first update on casualty numbers in almost six months, Shoigu said 5, 937 Russian soldiers had been killed since the start of the conflict.
President Vladimir Putin had ordered Russia's first mobilisation since World War Two in an early-morning television address, saying the additional manpower was needed to win a war against not only Ukraine but also its Western backers.