Russian authorities have stepped up efforts to increase military enlistment. Several media sources report that the Russian military aims to recruit some 400,000 new recruits to bolster its stagnant invasion of Ukraine.
Since Moscow invaded its neighbor last year, Russian forces have suffered heavy losses, with leaked US intelligence documents suggesting between 189,500 and 223,000 troops were killed or injured.
In September, President Vladimir Putin declared a “partial” mobilization of 300,000 reservists to replenish depleted army forces. However, ongoing heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine has resulted in further military casualties and a shortage of manpower.
In mid-March, recruiting offices across Russia began issuing orders to men of draft age, asking them to update their contact details. The Kremlin called the orders “standard practice” and stressed that there were currently no plans for a second wave of mobilization.