Personnel shortages in Russian army complicate Kremlin’s plans on front, says Bloomberg
Illustrative photo: Russia is recruiting fewer soldiers than it is losing (Getty Images)
Western officials tell the outlet that for three consecutive months, Russian losses have exceeded the rate of new troop recruitment. According to their estimates, Russia was able to bring 30–35 thousand people into the military each month, but these numbers no longer compensate for combat losses.
This trend may force the Kremlin to consider a wider mobilization—a step that Russian President Vladimir Putin has avoided since 2022, after calling up 300,000 reservists.
UK Armed Forces Minister Al Carns stated that among possible scenarios is an increase in recruitment in major Russian cities instead of the traditional intake from economically depressed regions.
Rising losses and worsening economic conditions are putting additional internal pressure on the Russian leadership. Mass recruitment from major cities could undermine domestic political support for the war.
Russia does not officially disclose its casualty figures, compensating instead with high payments and bonuses for contract soldiers. Meanwhile, Moscow increasingly relies on foreign mercenaries.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey previously estimated that around 17,000 North Korean troops are fighting on Russia’s side and reported recruitment of citizens from various countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Fighting continues along approximately a 1,200-kilometer front line. According to Western sources, Russia may focus further offensive efforts on fortified cities in the eastern part of the Donetsk region or attempt to resume advances in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
Another challenge for Russian forces has been communication difficulties after restricted access to the Starlink satellite internet system, as well as increased Kremlin control over the Telegram messenger. This has affected Russia’s ability to coordinate drone strikes on Ukrainian logistics at medium range.
New mobilization in Russia: Is it possible?
The Office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy notes that, ultimately, Russia will be forced to return to a general mobilization if progress is not achieved politically or in peace negotiations.
According to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russia plans to conscript over 400,000 people in 2026 and form at least 11 new divisions.
At the same time, it is known that the Kremlin is already creating the informational conditions for resuming a limited, staggered call-up of reservists. In this way, Russia is trying to compensate for losses in the war against Ukraine.
