As the conflict in Ukraine continues, new names are added daily to the growing list of casualties on both sides.
In response, Russia has introduced a new strategy to make military enlistment more appealing to its residents. Authorities in Moscow are now offering a record signing bonus to attract new recruits to join the fight in Ukraine.
According to CNN, this financial incentive comes as President Vladimir Putin faces recruitment challenges in the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced a one-time bonus of 1.9 million rubles (about $22,000) for residents who join the military. New recruits could earn up to 5.2 million rubles ($59,600) in their first year of service.
In addition, recruits can receive one-time payments between $5,690 and $11,390 for injuries, depending on severity. Families of soldiers killed in action could be paid $34,150.
High Casualty Rates
Estimates suggest Russia's casualty numbers are high. In May and June alone, over 70,000 soldiers were likely killed or wounded. The Russian army has faced heavy losses, particularly in the Kharkiv region.
Reports say Russia has lost 87% of its active-duty ground troops and two-thirds of its tanks since the invasion began.
Drone footage on social media shows severe casualties among Russian troops in battles against Ukrainian defenders. These conflicts are often called “meat grinder” battles due to their brutality.
To address these losses, the Kremlin is looking for new fighters.
Putin has ordered an increase of 170,000 troops, aiming to raise the total number of military personnel to over 2.2 million, including 1.32 million active-duty troops.
In September 2022, following several defeats, Putin ordered a “partial mobilization” targeting military reservists and those with prior military experience. This led to protests, especially in Russia’s ethnic minority regions, and many military-age men fled the country to avoid conscription.
Although the mobilization campaign was suspended in November 2022 after reaching the target of 300,000 recruits, Russia continues to seek fighters beyond its borders.
Reports indicate Russia has recruited up to 15,000 Nepalis. Recruits from Afghanistan, India, Congo, and Egypt are also being trained in Russia’s military academies for foreign fighters.
