Russia's plan to recruit contract soldiers fulfilled only by 70%
Photo: The plan to recruit contract soldiers in Russia is only 70% complete (Getty Images)
Russia faces a slowing pace of recruitment to the army of those willing to fight for money. Over the past month, the plan to recruit contract soldiers has been fulfilled by less than 70%, according to the RBC-Ukraine article "Peace plan and end of war? Is West pushing Ukraine to negotiations and how Zelenskyy will respond".
A source in the military suggests that Russia may face a dilemma this fall: mobilization or a possible slowdown in the offensive. Previously, there was no such problem as they recruited volunteers under contract. In some months, the recruitment plan was fulfilled by as much as 115%.
But this figure has begun to decline in recent months. According to sources, the plan to recruit contract soldiers for the war with Ukraine was fulfilled by less than 70% over the past month. At the same time, only a fifth of Russian conscripts agree to sign a contract.
Fewer and fewer Russians want to go to war for money. Therefore, the Kremlin will inevitably face the problem of recruitment to the army sooner or later. A new wave of mobilization will entail additional burdens on the Russian budget and social discontent, which president Vladimir Putin seems to prefer to avoid.
Mobilization in Russia
Russia has not officially announced a new wave of mobilization. However, Russians are constantly replenishing the army with conscripts and those who signed contracts. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is also recruiting foreign mercenaries for the war against Ukraine.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has increased the number of Russian troops by 1.5 million, reaching up to 2 million 389 thousand people.
