In a statement released on Wednesday, the Russian defence ministry announced a significant increase in the number of individuals enlisting in the armed forces following a tragic attack on a concert venue near Moscow last month.
According to the ministry, over 100,000 people have signed military contracts since the beginning of the year, with around 16,000 signing up in just the last 10 days.
During interviews at recruitment centers in Russian cities, many candidates cited a desire for vengeance for the victims of the March 22 attack as their primary motivation for joining the armed forces.
The attack at Crocus City Hall resulted in the deaths of at least 144 individuals in a mass shooting and fire, with the Islamic State claiming responsibility, although Russia alleges a connection to Ukraine, a claim denied by Kyiv and dismissed by the United States.
With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine now in its third year, Russia is depending on a continuous influx of new recruits to sustain its military operations.
While President Vladimir Putin had enforced a draft of 300,000 men in September 2022, he has stated that the strong numbers of voluntary enlistments make another compulsory mobilization unnecessary.
Advertisements celebrating soldiers as patriots and heroes can be seen throughout Russian cities, enticing many to join the armed forces with the promise of higher salaries than civilian jobs.
Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been gradually advancing following a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive last year.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to strengthen the military by adding two new armies and 30 formations by the end of the year.
(Reporting by Reuters; writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Michael Perry)
