Russian Army Sees Over Sixfold Increase in Contract Soldiers Over a Year

The number of people signing contracts for service in the Russian army has increased more than sixfold over the past year.

According to the data provided by Russian media, while 26,700 people received a one-time payment for signing a contract in the first half of 2023, this number rose to 166,000 in the same period of 2024.

Earlier, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, stated that around 190,000 people had signed contracts to serve by July 2024.

The sharp increase in the number of contract soldiers is attributed to higher payments upon signing a contract.

To recruit soldiers to the war, Russian authorities have raised contract signing bonuses: in August 2024, the federal payment increased from $2,024 (195,000 rubles) to $4,144 (400,000 rubles), while regional payments have, on average, increased fourfold.

Reports in July 2024 stated that Moscow is offering one-time signing bonus of 1.9 million rubles ($21,200) for city residents who enlist in the military and are forcing immigrants into enlisting.

August 1, Russian media Vazhnye istorii published an investigation saying that Russia is overstating the number of new contract soldiers it is recruiting by about one-and-a-half times.