Russia struggles to recruit troops, may turn to forced mobilization — ISW
Photo: The Kremlin may resort to forced mobilization in Russia (Getty Images)
In Russia, there is criticism of the recruitment campaign for Russia’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), amid signs that the Kremlin may resort to forced mobilization of reservists to cover losses in the war against Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts note a statement by a Russian military correspondent on March 29, who said that the recruitment campaign for the Unmanned Systems Forces had effectively reached a dead end. According to him, recruiters are offering standard military contracts, which makes potential recruits fear being subsequently transferred to infantry assault units.
He emphasizes that drone specialists should not be deployed as part of assault groups and criticized the Russian Ministry of Defense’s inability to create modern and effective drone units.
Another Russian military blogger supported this position, noting that the Russian military leadership avoids implementing innovations it does not understand.
Analysts note that the Russian Ministry of Defense launched a recruitment campaign for the drone units in January 2026, targeting students in particular.
At the same time, opposition sources previously reported that the proposed contracts contain no guarantees preventing the transfer of recruits to other units.
The report also notes that the previous mechanism for attracting volunteers through high one-time payments lost its effectiveness by the end of 2025. As early as January 2026, recruitment levels fell below attrition rates for the first time since 2022.
"The March 29 milblogger complaints indicate that the Russian MoD’s attempts to revamp its voluntary recruitment campaign, even for the USF, are not achieving its desired results," the report states.
The ISW continues to assess that the Kremlin is preparing for limited, incremental, compulsory reserve call-ups in the future, which are likely intended to allow Russian forces to continue sustaining high casualties in Ukraine, rather than to increase the size of the Russian military.
Mobilization in Russia
Former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev recently stated that there was no need for a new wave of mobilization in Russia.
At the same time, since late 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defense has been actively trying to recruit students into unmanned systems units. They are promised substantial payments and special contracts lasting one year.
However, according to available information, in practice, it will likely be impossible to leave the service until the war ends.
Russian authorities announced a so-called partial mobilization in September 2022. Immediately before this, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that there was no question of mobilization in Russia.
