Russia’s protracted invasion of Ukraine has prompted both countries to seek innovative ways to bolster their military ranks. In a move that is sure to raise eyebrows, Moscow has introduced significant financial incentives to attract new recruits.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a substantial one-time payment of 1.9 million rubles (about $22,000) for residents who sign up for military service for more than a year. This amount is as much as 22 times the average monthly salary of Russians, as reported by the Federal State Statistics Service in April.

In addition to the initial bonus, recruits can earn a total of 5.2 million rubles (approximately $59,600) in their first year of service. In addition, recruits wounded in combat can receive between $5,690 and $11,390, depending on the severity of their injuries. Families of soldiers killed in action are entitled to compensation of $34,150.

What’s behind this ‘lucrative’ move?

The backdrop to these generous offers is Russia’s struggle to maintain its offensive against Ukraine. The British Ministry of Defence estimated in a July 12 update that more than 70,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in May and June alone.

Additionally, a source familiar with a declassified US intelligence report revealed that CNN that Russia has lost 87 percent of its active ground forces and two-thirds of its tanks since the start of the invasion.

The Institute for the Study of War, an American think tank, commented on the situation: “Such high financial incentives will continue to generate sufficient manpower to maintain Russia’s current offensive tempo, but will likely come at a high cost to Russia’s regional and federal budgets in the long run.”

What recruitment challenges does Russia face?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the military to increase its numbers by 170,000, with the aim of expanding its total personnel to more than 2.2 million, including 1.32 million troops. This is a 15 percent increase in military size and is the second such expansion since the invasion began.

Initially, Putin ordered a “partial mobilization” in September 2022, targeting military reservists and those with previous military experience. This mobilization led to widespread protests, especially in ethnic minority areas, and caused an exodus of military-age men fleeing the country.

Although Russia suspended the mobilization campaign in November 2022 after claiming it had met its recruitment target of 300,000 troops, the country continues to search for fighters outside its borders.

Reports indicate that Russia has recruited up to 15,000 Nepalese soldiers, many of whom have suffered trauma, while some are still missing or presumed dead. A Nepalese soldier told CNN that Afghan, Indian, Congolese and Egyptian recruits are also being trained at Russian military academies for foreign fighters.

The human cost of conflict

On the ground, the brutal reality of the conflict is clearly visible. Social media is full of drone footage showing Russian soldiers being killed or seriously wounded in what has been described as “meat grinder” combat. Ukrainian soldiers are often faced with overwhelming attacks from Russian forces, who often use human-wave tactics, leading to high attrition rates.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, noted earlier this month that 190,000 new contract soldiers had joined the army this year alone. The effort is part of a broader strategy to replace the heavy losses suffered by the Russian armed forces.

As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its third year, the Kremlin’s desperate need for soldiers is evidence that the ongoing conflict is taking a heavy toll on both countries and that there is no end in sight.

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With input from agencies

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