Russia's Massive Recruitment Drive: 400,000 New Contract Soldiers and IT Workers

Russia plans to recruit 400,000 new contract soldiers starting in April 2023, as part of its push to increase its military manpower by 50%. The recruitment drive is expected to focus on specialized vocations, and incoming soldiers will be allowed to choose whether they will be deployed to Ukraine. Russian contract soldiers are typically volunteers who serve three-year paid stints in the army. The move comes after Russia declared a "partial mobilization" of 300,000 reservists in September to replenish forces being depleted by its invasion of Ukraine.