Civilians made to join Russia’s bloody war against Ukraine are being handed rusted Kalashnikov rifles.

Recruits were given the firearms at a military store in Primorsky, eastern Russia, as president Vladimir Putin’s surprise draft became a reality.

One conscript said in a video: ‘It’s the tank boys who were given this c*** [rusty Kalashnikovs].

‘They said, “You’ve got tanks, so don’t give a **** about the Kalashnikovs”.’

Another added: ‘These are the machine guns we’re getting.

‘F***** up, I’m f****** up…. I won’t comment on anything…. I’m shocked.’

As part of a tank crew, the men were told by commanders the Kalashnikovs were good enough.

Kalashnikovs, named after Soviet general Mikhail Kalashnikov, were introduced by the Soviet Union as a replacement for the AK-47.

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Suggesting the growing problems — and desperation — of Russia’s war machine, a second video showed rusted military trucks being transported for reservists.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine has struck and liberated Russian several military strongholds that have acted as vital supply lines for Russia as part of a counteroffensive in the country’s south and north-east.

Only days after Ukraine made gains in the eastern province of Luhansk, Putin announced a call-up (or, as he said, a ‘partial mobilization’) to counter Ukraine.

Russia will rally about 300,000 civilians, focusing on skilled men with military experience.

It was an announcement that Putin had long delayed in making — but Ukraine’s counter-offensive gave it new urgency in a seven-month war.

Ukraine is close to piercing Russia’s hold on Luhansk’s Lysychansk, ‘one of the most important logistical arteries’ according to the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The agency said in a Telegram post on September 22 that Russian occupying forces are ‘having a bad time’ near the city, part of the Donbas.

Moscow is now forcing residents of the occupied province to vote in a staged referendum to join Russia.

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