Why Russia needs a new recruitment round

Could another Russian recruiting campaign begin in 2026? As Russia's battlefield casualties in Ukraine outpace new recruits, and Moscow still tries to capture all of Donetsk Oblast, Moscow's prized volunteer soldier model is reaching its breaking point.

For most of the full-scale invasion, Russia avoided further mass recruitment, instead relying on high salaries, enlistment bonuses and contract troops to replenish its forces. But this model is becoming more difficult to sustain.