The Russian army is facing serious difficulties to recruit enough new soldiers. It is the conclusion reached by the specialists of the in their February 4 report. This American thought tank has become a reference source about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for the accurate of its information.
At the end of 2024 and in January 2025, ISW analysts observed reports that suggested that The monthly recruitment rate in the Russian army is equal to or lower than the amount necessary to compensate for continuous losses of Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine.
In addition, the think tank He pointed out that Some Russian provinces are not complying with monthly recruitment quotas imposed by the Kremlin, since Russian citizens are every time more reluctant to offer as volunteers for war.
On February 3, the Russian Ministry of Defense proposed amendments that will allow people diagnosed with serious diseases and neurological disorders (including syphilis, hypertension, atrophy of the central nervous system, skin diseases, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, affective disorders and other health problems)) enlist In military service, provided that their condition does not prevent them from serving.
According to Radio Liberty, citing the movement of Russian conscientious objectors, these amendments They will make recruits obtain medical exemptions of military service and They will complicate the decrease process of the mobilized soldiers and the contracted military of the Russian army.
On January 24, the BBC reported that journalists and a team of volunteers had identified the names of 90.019 Dead Russian soldiers In Ukraine. Almost one in four of them had signed a contract after the Russian Invasion on a large scale began.
On January 30, Ukraine Military Intelligence (Hur) indicated that in 2025 Russia It aims to recruit at least 126,000 soldiers of the so -called “special contingent”which includes Prisoners, individuals under investigation, those with unpaid debts and others who face legal or financial problems. In total, to compensate for losses on the battlefield, Russia is preparing to mobilize At least 280,000 people in 2025added the fer.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine, until February 5, The total military losses of Russia in Ukraine had reached 844,070 soldiers.
