The Russian Federation plans to recruit approximately 400,000 military personnel under contract in 2024.
This information was reported by the British Ministry of Defense.
According to intelligence sources, the spring conscription in Russia began on April 1. This spring, the enemy plans to conscript about 150,000 soldiers aged 18 to 30, which corresponds to the figures of previous conscriptions.
"Conscripts are employed in garrisons across Russia. In land units they generally form a battalion separate from the battalions staffed by contract service soldiers. Some conscript soldiers likely serve in Russia adjacent to the Ukraine border in units providing border security," the intelligence report adds.
It is noted that the enemy's forces in Ukraine are staffed with contract soldiers and some reservists who were mobilized at the end of 2022. Conscripts are usually pressured to enter contract service, as then they would be responsible for serving in Ukraine. Presumably, Russia does not want to risk losses among conscripts, as this is unpopular. At the same time, losses among volunteers are perceived more tolerantly in society.
"Russia seeks to recruit around 400,000 contract service personnel in 2024. This is to sustain its forces in Ukraine, which have suffered huge losses, and support its announced plans to increase the size of the armed forces to 1.32 million this year and 1.5 million subsequently," the intelligence report concludes.
