Russia has seen a significant increase in the number of people signing contracts to join the armed forces since last month’s deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
In a statement, it said more than 100,000 people have signed contracts with the military since the start of the year, including about 16,000 in the last ten days alone.
“During interviews conducted last week in the selection points of Russian cities, most of the candidates indicated as the main motive for concluding a contract the desire to avenge the victims of the tragedy that occurred on March 22, 2024 in the Moscow region”. said.
At least 144 people were killed in a mass shooting and fire at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in an attack claimed by the Islamic State militant group.
Russia, however, claimed the attackers were linked to Ukraine – something kyiv has repeatedly denied and the United States has called nonsense.
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Russia relies on a steady stream of new recruits to its armed forces to fight the war in Ukraine, now in its third year.
President Vladimir Putin ordered an unpopular recruitment of 300,000 troops in September 2022, but said a new mandatory mobilization was not necessary because the number of signatories to voluntary contracts is very high.
Posters in Russian cities tout soldiers fighting in Ukraine as patriots and heroes, and many of those who sign up are lured by salaries far higher than they can earn as civilians.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has made slow progress over the past two months after a Ukrainian counteroffensive last year failed to make significant progress.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month that Moscow would strengthen its military by adding two new armies and 30 new formations by the end of this year.