German Institute Highlights Russia's Recruitment Challenges Amid Ukraine Conflict
The German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) has reported on the difficulties Russia faces in recruiting volunteers for its military efforts in Ukraine. According to Janis Kluge, a Russia expert at SWP, the Kremlin has shifted from offering financial incentives to employing coercive tactics to meet recruitment quotas. This change comes as Russia experiences significant losses and diminishing battlefield gains. The recruitment quotas are assigned to regions and passed down to municipalities, allowing for local adaptation of recruitment strategies. However, regions like Buryatia, which have historically provided a high number of recruits, are now struggling to meet these quotas. The situation in Buryatia, where coercion is increasingly used, reflects a broader trend across Russia. 
