Approximately 422,000 individuals enlisted with the Russian military last year, which represents a 6% decrease from the previous year, according to the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council on Friday.
The reasons behind this modest decline are not entirely clear, although reports indicate that some Russian regions reduced their military sign-on bonuses last year due to economic challenges.
“In brief, I’d like to summarize last year’s outcomes. The supreme commander-in-chief’s target was achieved: 422,704 individuals signed military contracts,” Dmitry Medvedev mentioned in a video shared on his social media.
He projected that the number for 2024 would be around 450,000.
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, Russia has implemented a series of aggressive recruitment campaigns to compensate for significant losses on the battlefield and to achieve President Vladimir Putin’s goal of enlarging the country’s active military forces.
Those who enlist can anticipate high salaries, a minimum signing bonus of $5,000, with many regions offering significantly higher amounts, as well as a variety of social benefits, including free housing assistance.
The Kremlin and regional leaders are eager to avert another mobilization, which would involve forcibly drafting men into military service.
The mobilization effort in 2022 faced criticism for disproportionately affecting ethnic minority groups and resulted in rare protests and a mass exodus of men of fighting age from Russia.
On the battlefield, Russia maintains a numerical advantage over Ukraine, as Kyiv has faced challenges in recruiting and drafting soldiers throughout the ongoing conflict.
Last year, Putin indicated that 700,000 Russian troops were positioned at the frontline.
This surge in recruitment is essential to offset the substantial loss of soldiers who have been killed or injured during the nearly four-year-long war.
Moscow does not disclose official casualty figures; however, by analyzing public statements made by relatives and local officials, the BBC, along with the independent outlet Mediazona, has confirmed that at least 160,000 Russian soldiers have died.
