Asger Risom
Russia’s spring recruitment drive hits highest numbers since 2012, raising questions about the country’s long-term military strategy
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As peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine inch forward, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree authorizing a record number of conscripts into the military. According to HotNews.ro, 160,000 young men will be drafted during the spring 2025 recruitment cycle — the highest figure recorded since 2012.
The move comes despite active diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalating the war, and signals Moscow’s ongoing push to replenish its ranks. During the fall 2024 draft, only 133,000 individuals were called up. Under Russian law, men between the ages of 18 and 30 are eligible for conscription.
Expanded criteria and legal gray areas
In an unusual step, the Russian Defense Ministry has also proposed looser medical standards for enlistment, potentially allowing those with conditions such as syphilis or certain neurological disorders to serve, provided their impairments are classified as “minor.” The policy has yet to be formally adopted but has already sparked backlash from human rights activists.
There’s also growing concern over the practice of retroactively drafting men who were missed in previous recruitment cycles. Though a bill to legalize this approach has yet to pass in the Duma, activists argue the military is already operating as if it had — a move they say lacks any clear legal foundation.
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Heavy losses fueling new recruitment
Russia’s recruitment surge appears to be a response to steep battlefield losses. While Moscow does not release official casualty figures, an internal Defense Ministry source reportedly cited 48,000 missing soldiers by the end of 2024. Independent estimates are even more severe.
According to Ukraine’s top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian forces lost 434,000 troops in 2024 alone — including 150,000 killed in action. Other estimates suggest total deaths since the start of the war may be between 100,000 and 120,000, with total casualties (including wounded) potentially four times higher.
Despite the losses, Russia maintains a vast reserve of trained personnel. Between 20 and 25 million men under 55 have completed mandatory military service, and remain eligible for deployment if called.
Putin’s draft order comes at a pivotal moment. Whether it’s a negotiating tactic or a genuine escalation remains unclear — but the scale of mobilization sends a loud signal to both domestic audiences and international observers.
