Russia Aims to Recruit 225,000 Contract Soldiers Annually in the Next 3 Years

The Russian authorities plan to recruit at least 225,000 contract soldiers annually to the Russian army in the next three years.

This was reported by the Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation Andrii Kovalenko.

“This indicator best speaks of Russia's intentions not to carry out mobilization, but to preserve the capabilities for waging war,” wrote Kovalenko.

According to Vazhnie Istorii , Russia's draft federal budget for 2025-2027 sets aside RUB 90 billion (around $937.5 million) for one-time payments to recruits signing contracts with the Ministry of Defense, aiming to enlist up to 225,000 new contract soldiers.

The agency reported that currently, the one-time federal payment for signing a contract in Russia is RUB 400,000 (around $4200). Vladimir Putin raised it to this level on July 31, 2024; previously, it was RUB 195,000 (around $2030). If the payment does not change, then the allocated RUB 90 billion will be enough to recruit 225,000 new contract soldiers in three years. If they pay RUB 195,000 to sign a contract, as was the case before, this will allow the recruitment of 461.500 people.

The planned budget may still increase. In the first half of 2024, the Russian authorities have already spent more than RUB 32 billion ($333,3 million) on one-time payments to new contract soldiers. This is more than is budgeted for the entire next year.

Previously, at the end of September, Putin signed a decree initiating the autumn military conscription, which will take place from October 1 to December 31, 2024. According to the document, 133,000 citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 are expected to be drafted during this period.