In order to increase the number of troops, Moscow authorities have proclaimed record-breaking signing on incentives for recruits who are preparing to fight in Ukraine. This action is indicative of Russia’s ongoing difficulties in sustaining an adequate number of soldiers as the war approaches it´s third year.
Sergey Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, implemented a one-time signing incentive of 1.9 million rubles, equivalent to approximately $22,000, for citizens inclined to enroll in the military. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, recruits may receive a maximum of 5.2 million rubles, estimated at around $59,600, during their initial year of service. In addition, families of servicemen slain during fight were eligible for $34,150, while an additional $5,690 to $11,390 in one-time cash payments was also provided for injuries based on the seriousness.
The conflict has had a significant impact on Russian forces, with figures indicating that over 70,000 soldiers were slain or injured in May and June alone. In an update on July 12, the UK defense ministry reported that Russian troops encountered intense opposition in the Kharkiv region, resulting in high casualties. According to a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment, Russia has lost 87% of its active-duty ground personnel and two-thirds of its tanks in the period prior to the invasion.
Despite the increasing number of casualties, the Kremlin has been actively seeking to recruit additional combatants. In December, a decree was issued by Putin that mandated a 170,000 increase in troop numbers, with the objective of increasing the Russian army by 15% and increasing the total number of military personnel to over 2.2 million.
The initial “partial mobilization” of Russian citizens in September 2022 triggered widespread demonstrations, especially among ethnic minority regions, and prompted an exodus of military-age males from the country.
The campaign was suspended in November after it reached its objective, but recruitment efforts have persisted. According to reports, foreign combatants from countries including India, Afghanistan, and Nepal are currently receiving training at Russia’s military academies. The conflict has left many of these foreign recruits traumatized, and some have been reported missing or deceased. They have also encountered significant challenges.
