Russia Faces Recruitment Challenges Amidst Ongoing War in Ukraine
Russia is experiencing significant difficulties in maintaining the manpower needed for its war against Ukraine. The Kremlin has relied on contract recruitment and financial incentives to replace battlefield losses without launching another nationwide mobilization. However, the prospect of another large-scale mobilization carries substantial risks, including increased desertion and domestic political backlash. Analysts suggest that Russia's inability to sustain recruitment could limit its ability to conduct offensive operations, as frontline units may shrink. Despite efforts to recruit 409,000 new personnel in 2026, heavy attrition means most new soldiers are used to replenish existing units rather than create reserves. 
