Russia launches massive military recruitment campaign
For several days, whether on the streets or on social networks, Russians of fighting age have not been able to escape advertisements encouraging them to enlist in the army to fight in Ukraine. Objective: to replenish thinned ranks while Kiev says it is preparing its vast counter-offensive, without resorting to a new forced mobilization, an unpopular measure that the Kremlin took in September after several setbacks.
To spare public opinion, the government has therefore launched the largest advertising campaign for voluntary military recruitment since the launch of its offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. and on bus shelters, recruitment posters have popped up in recent days, touting “An honorable profession and a decent salary”.
On the posters, no combat scene, the conflict in Ukraine seems far away. “Our job: to defend the country”, boasts a poster showing three soldiers under a big blue sky. A viral video on social media shows a taxi driver, a security guard and a fitness coach mired in a dreary daily life. “Is this really the path you wanted to choose?” », asks the video. At the end, the three men fulfill themselves by choosing the fatigues and the assault rifle. A slogan appears: ” You are a man. Be it. »
The authorities have not announced quantified targets, but some Russian media have reported that the army hopes to enlist several hundred thousand men by offering contracts on particularly attractive terms. On the website of the Moscow municipality, the salary promised to a recruit deployed in the area of operations in Ukraine thus amounts to 204,000 rubles (2,260 euros at the current rate), or more than ten times the minimum wage. Those who participate in an offensive action are also promised a daily bonus of 8,000 rubles, and 50,000 rubles for each kilometer conquered within an assault brigade, the formation most exposed to enemy fire.
In Moscow, the elderly parents of recruits are offered home care, and mothers free places in crèches. Even in the event of death, recruits are promised to be able to shelter their families, with an indemnity of several million rubles.