Russia’s Defense Ministry could recruit at least 225,000 contract soldiers over next three years, budget allocations show

Over the next three years, Russia’s Defense Ministry could recruit at least 225,000 contract soldiers, according to estimates from the independent outlet iStories, which reviewed the government’s draft federal budget for 2025-2027.

The Russian government has allocated 90 billion rubles ($944.9 million) for sign-on bonuses, or 30 billion ($315 million) annually. Based on iStories’ estimates, if the current payment of 400,000 rubles ($4,200) remains unchanged, this would fund 225,000 new contracts over the three years. If the payment reverts to the previous amount of 195,000 rubles ($2,047), the Defense Ministry could recruit as many as 461,500 contract soldiers.

iStories also pointed out that the allocated budget could increase. In the first half of 2024 alone, over 32 billion rubles ($336 million) were spent on one-time payments to new recruits — more than what is budgeted for the entire following year.

Western analysts believe that Russia’s Defense Ministry is intensifying its recruitment of contract soldiers in an attempt to offset losses from the invasion of Ukraine without declaring a new wave of mobilization, which the Kremlin fears could lead to internal unrest.