Khaberni - As the war in Ukraine continues for nearly 4 years, Russia is intensifying its efforts to recruit new fighters, offering significant financial incentives and streamlined pathways for citizenship, and even opportunities for prisoners to be released, in exchange for signing combat contracts on the frontlines, in order to avoid unpopular general mobilization.
According to a report by the "Associated Press", recruitment represents a "lucrative" opportunity for middle-income individuals inside Russia, an exit from harsh prison conditions, and a fast track to citizenship for migrants.
Moscow insists that it relies on volunteers, at a time when activists and media outlets indicate that pressures are exerted on recruits, including young men performing mandatory service, to force them to sign contracts that are automatically extended indefinitely.
Troop numbers and losses
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that about 700,000 Russian soldiers are fighting in Ukraine, the same number he announced in 2024, after having previously mentioned 617,000 at the end of 2023, amid doubts about the accuracy of these figures.
The numbers of killed and wounded remain officially undisclosed; the British Ministry of Defence estimated last summer that more than one million Russian soldiers may have been killed or injured.
In an independent count conducted by the platform "Mediazona" in collaboration with the "BBC" network, more than 160,000 soldiers were documented killed, including more than 550 foreigners from over 20 countries.
Extensive financial incentives
According to the agency, the government offers high salaries and multiple benefits, including tax exemptions and debt relief, as well as regional bonuses that could reach tens of thousands of dollars.
In the Khanty-Mansi region of central Russia, incentives may reach about 50,000 dollars as various bonuses, according to the local government.
This figure is more than double the average annual income in the area, with reports indicating that monthly salaries in the first ten months of 2025 averaged slightly over 1600 US dollars.
Targeting prisoners and foreigners
The agency pointed out that Moscow has expanded the scope of recruitment to include prisoners and detainees on remand, under laws that allow this. Foreigners have also become a primary target, through legislations that speed up the acquisition of citizenship in exchange for military service.
Reports indicate raids targeting migrant work and living areas to pressure them to join the army, while Putin issued a decree in November (November) last year making military service mandatory for certain categories of foreigners seeking permanent residence.
Abroad, several countries complained about their citizens being deceived into recruitment. Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Kenya, South Africa, and Iraq said networks promised jobs to citizens before pushing them to sign combat contracts.
India announced in 2024, disbanding a network that lured dozens of citizens, some of whom were seriously injured, while Nepal requested the return of hundreds of its nationals and the repatriation of the bodies of the dead.
The Iraqi authorities stated that about 5,000 Iraqis joined the Russian army, and took action against recruitment networks.
A burden on the economy
A Ukrainian agency concerned with prisoners of war estimated that more than 18,000 foreigners fought or are fighting alongside Russia, of whom about 3,400 were killed, and hundreds from 40 countries are held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
Artyom Kliga, head of the legal department in the Conscientious Objectors Movement, stated that "relying on foreigners is just one means to meet the increasing demand," noting that Russian recruitment efforts appear stable.
Researchers believe that "the Kremlin has become more innovative in attracting recruits, but these efforts have become costly, at a time when the Russian economy faces increasing slowdowns."
