Russia: After the terrorist attack in Moscow the numbers of those who joined the army increased

After the very dead last month in a concert hall near , Russia recorded a significant increase in the number of people signing contracts to join its armed forces announced the defence ministry. In his announcement, the ministry clarified that over 100,000 people have signed contracts with the army since the beginning of the year, including only about 16,000 in the last 10 days after the terrorist attack on Moscow. “During last week’s interviews in centres of choice in Russian cities, most candidates reported that a key incentive to enter into a contract (with the army) was the desire to avenge those killed in the tragedy that occurred on 22 March 2024 in the Moscow district,” noted the Russian Ministry of Defence. At least 144 people were killed in the Crocus City Hall attack, the responsibility for which the jihadist organization Islamic State assumed. Russia has however announced that the perpetrators of the attack were linked to Ukraine, which has repeatedly denied Kiev and rejected the US as nonsense. Russia is based on a steady flow of recruitment to the armed forces for the conduct of its war in Ukraine, which is now in its third year. President Vladimir Putin had ordered an unpopular partial enlistment of 300,000 men in September 2022, but now he has stated that there is no need for further mandatory mobilisation, because the numbers of those who voluntarily sign contracts with the army are very large. Posters posted in Russian cities admire the soldiers who fight in Ukraine by describing them as patriots and heroes and many of those who contract to join the ranks of the army are attracted to the wages that are much higher than they could have as citizens. Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, is slowly reporting progress in the last two months in the field after the Ukrainian counterattack failed last year to make significant profits. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month that Moscow would strengthen its army, adding two new armies and 30 new formations by the end of the year.