Russia Recruited Over 422,000 Soldiers in 2025, Says Medvedev

The Russian army has recruited over 422,000 soldiers in 2025, according to the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev. This number is down 6% compared to the previous year.

In a video posted on social media, Medvedev stated that 422,704 people have signed military service contracts. Additionally, 32,000 people have signed voluntary military service contracts, a term generally used for individuals fighting in paramilitary groups.

Medvedev claimed that in 2025, approximately 450,000 people had signed contracts to serve in the Russian army, and 40,000 for voluntary service in the 'special military operation' in Ukraine, as Moscow calls the war.

AFP is unable to independently verify these figures. The Russian army, which does not publish official figures on its losses, has been conducting recruitment campaigns since the start of its offensive in Ukraine.

Following the mobilization of 300,000 reservists in September 2022, Russian authorities chose not to proceed with a new mobilization, given the extensive losses and the flight of thousands of Russians abroad.

Authorities are promising attractive salaries, signing bonuses, and social benefits, with advertisements on the streets and online. Regions have increased bonuses for those signing contracts with the Russian army, but several have changed policy due to financial constraints.

Vladimir Putin stated last year that 700,000 Russian soldiers had been deployed on the front lines in Ukraine.