Russia has recruited nearly 120,000 troops since the beginning of the year, according to former President Dmitry Medvedev. “Between January 1 and March 19, 117,400 people were enlisted in the ranks of the army, on a contractual basis and as part of our volunteer units,” said Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council. Russian authorities would also continue to recruit and contract soldiers.
The army is trying to replenish its ranks, weakened by the offensive in Ukraine. In the past few weeks, Moscow has been campaigning massively for the army on the Internet and on posters in the streets of Russian cities. Various Russian media reported that the army hoped to be able to lure several hundred thousand men with particularly attractive conditions.