Russia is aiming to sign up 400,000 contract soldiers this year to beef up its forces that have suffered huge losses in the Ukraine war, Britain's Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update on April 10. Russian troops in Ukraine consist of contract soldiers and some reservists who were mobilized in late 2022, it said. Conscript soldiers, who are not legally involved in the war, are pressured to sign up as contract soldiers, thus becoming eligible to be sent to the front line. Losses among contract soldiers, or volunteers, are likely more tolerable for the Russian public, it said. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, click here.
Russia Seeks To Recruit 400,000 Contract Soldiers This Year, U.K. Says
Conscript soldiers, who are not legally involved in the war, are pressured to sign up as contract soldiers, thus becoming eligible to be sent to the front line. (file photo)