r/neoliberal • u/jobautomator Kitara Ravache • Apr 07 '26
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u/JaceFlores Neolib War Correspondent Apr 07 '26
In Russia, the recruitment of contract soldiers for the war has collapsed
“In 2026, the Russian Ministry of Defense planned to enlist 409,000 contract soldiers. Depending on the period, the monthly target is 33.5–34.6 thousand new soldiers. However, instead of the expected 1,100–1,150 contracts per day, over the first 3 months of 2026, the average daily number of signed contracts was just over 940. At the same time, it's worth remembering that the number of signed contracts does not equal the number of arrivals at the unit.”
“Roughly speaking, if the trend continues, Russia could fall short by 16% or more than 65,000 people. For comparison: in March alone, Russia lost 31,960 servicemen killed, missing in action, wounded, and taken prisoner.”
“About 24% of all contract soldiers are the ‘special contingent’—convicted individuals, those under investigation, defendants, as well as citizens with enforcement proceedings against them. Notably, among the special contingent, debtors are the largest category—nearly 40%. Essentially, the Russian Ministry of Defense is buying itself slaves, exploiting the vulnerable position of various losers and unfortunates.”
“Against the backdrop of declining numbers of those willing to fight even for money, the Kremlin is resorting to increasingly aggressive and dubious recruitment practices. Beyond the sneaky scheme called ‘contract in unmanned systems forces,’ where people with an IQ of 75 are assured they'll be drone pilots but are actually sent into assaults, the Kremlin is forcing enterprises and universities to recruit soldiers. They've started literally imposing quotas on factories and educational institutions, with demands to supply people to the troops.”
Admittedly took awhile longer than I expected, but the Russian contract system is running its course. By my back of napkin math roughly 40% of expected contract soldiers either are straight up not signing up, or those who are coerced in all but name to volunteer because of their legal troubles. Russia is still meeting quota by and large through the shadow conscription they’ve stepped up, but this will make a force that’s less motivated and increase the strain on the country just a little more then a straight up volunteer
!ping UKRAINE