Russia is desperate to recruit soldiers.

Russia is desperate to recruit soldiers.

Russian Military Mobilization and the Recruitment Challenge

In an attempt to boost recruitment and support their war efforts in Ukraine, the Russian government is launching a new TV show featuring the wives and mothers of military recruits. This show aims to evoke heroism and tell tear-jerking stories that will motivate more young men to join the conflict. This move comes as the Russian army faces a shortage of troops due to significant casualties and the departure of the Wagner Group from the battlefield.

Last September, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial mobilization” despite promising that citizens could watch the war from the comfort of their homes without the need for conscription or reserve call-ups. However, Ukrainian counter-attacks and territorial losses forced Putin to call up reserves, leading to the enactment of laws making refusal, surrender, and desertion criminal offenses punishable by ten years in prison.

The first wave of mobilization brought in around 300,000 reinforcements who were poorly trained and ill-equipped. Many of them have since been killed or injured, necessitating the urgent rotation of troops. However, Ivan Popov, a senior general who was recently dismissed, made it clear in a leaked message that the surviving soldiers need to be replaced. To address this shortfall, the Kremlin passed several laws aimed at increasing the pool of potential recruits.

Previously, the focus was on the low-hanging fruit, but now the net is being cast wider. The volume of requests for assistance from volunteer organizations, such as “Idite Lesom” (“Get Lost”), has more than doubled since last spring. Grigory Sverdlin, who runs the organization, states that the Kremlin is becoming more desperate to find recruits for the war.

The number of troops needed depends on the progress of Ukrainian forces. While Putin might not have enough troops to gain more territory, he aims to ensure that the war continues for as long as he remains in power. War has become his only legacy, and it is a tool that can be scaled down or intensified but never truly ended.

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Unlike Ukrainian commanders who prioritize preserving lives, the Russian army relies on the belief in an inexhaustible human resource. There is a centuries-old saying, “Russian women will breed more,” that guides their mobilization strategy. This approach presents inherent political risks, as witnessed in the protests and mass departures triggered by the mobilization order last September.

To calm the public and meet his numbers, Putin declared mobilization “complete and over” in October, even though he never signed a legal document officially ending forced recruitment. The call-up papers slowed to a trickle, but to fill the gaps, the Kremlin sought more contract soldiers. Advertisements and billboards promoting the benefits of becoming a warrior were displayed across the country. However, the recruitment campaign failed to attract significant numbers of volunteers, with independent observers estimating that the figures were less than half of the official report.

To improve efficiency and increase recruitment, the Kremlin has implemented new policies. Reservists can now be held liable for service from the moment recruitment commissions issue the notice, regardless of whether they physically receive it. Call-up papers are served electronically or posted on a government web portal. An electronic register is replacing the old reservist files, and having dependents or disabilities no longer offers grounds for exemption.

Furthermore, leaving the country after receiving a notice is now illegal for conscripts. Those who attempt to hide within Russia find themselves outside the law, unable to drive a car or engage in financial transactions, such as paying mortgages. The age limit for reservists who can be called up has been extended, and men doing their compulsory year of military service are also being drawn into the conflict through covert methods. By pressuring them to sign contracts with the army, the government classifies them as volunteers, even though many have been induced through threats, coercion, and lies.

The shortage of training centers and officers further limits the mobilization effort. To address this, the age of former professionals who can be called up was raised to 65. Overall, the new laws and policies implemented by the Kremlin are designed to create a larger pool of potential recruits and ensure a sustained military presence in Ukraine.

The Russian government is determined to continue its aggressive actions in Ukraine, and these measures demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a strong military presence. While the hardships faced by recruits and their families are concerning, the Russian leadership seems willing to risk political backlash for the sake of pursuing their objectives. As the conflict persists, it is clear that recruitment and mobilization efforts in Russia will remain a critical factor in shaping the dynamics of the war.