In Russia, the pace of recruitment of contract soldiers into the army has slowed, which is why the Kremlin is increasing financial incentives and mechanisms for covert mobilization. The Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of Ukraine reported this on May 19.
According to intelligence data, in the first quarter of 2026, the Russian Federation signed contracts with approximately 70.5 thousand military personnel. This is less than planned by the Russian Ministry of Defense, which expected to attract 33.5–34.6 thousand people monthly.
“If in the same quarter of 2025, on average, about 1,200 people signed up for the army every day, now this figure has dropped to 800–930 from the plan of 1,100–1,150,” the SVR cites figures.
Amid the slowdown in recruitment, the Kremlin has stepped up financial incentives for new recruits. According to intelligence reports, more than 40 regions of the Russian Federation have increased one-time payments to contract soldiers by 30–100%, and in some cases by 200–500% compared to the end of 2025.
“Ordinary Russians are paying for this generosity: the regions, in order to scrape together money for military bonuses, have cut spending on the social sphere and utilities amid record budget deficits,” the service explains.
In addition, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a law according to which overdue loans will be written off for contract workers and their husbands or wives. We are talking about those who sign a contract from May 1, 2026 for a period of at least a year. The maximum write-off amount is $136.7 thousand.
Intelligence officials note that the potential audience for such an incentive could be “almost every fourth adult Russian.”
Also in April, the SVR reported that in the Ryazan region, companies with more than 150 employees were required to send a certain number of employees to work. This practice is also recorded in other regions.
In addition, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, together with military registration and enlistment offices, instructed the management of approximately 200 technical and regional universities to ensure that contracts are signed with at least 2% of male students.
And the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation was given powers to exercise total control over the conscription process – from military registration and enlistment offices and employers to schools, universities and law enforcement agencies, intelligence reports.
“A quiet call… All these measures taken together paint a pessimistic picture for Moscow,” the SVR notes.
Intelligence officials note that voluntary recruitment into the Russian army is becoming increasingly expensive for regional budgets, while the ability to constantly increase payments is limited. At the same time, the Kremlin has so far avoided open mobilization due to fears of public reaction, but a further drop in recruitment rates could change the situation.
