Russia has seen a notable rise in the number of individuals agreeing to join the military since the fatal attack on a concert hall near Moscow last month, as stated by the defense ministry on Wednesday.
In a statement, it said over 100,000 individuals have agreed to join the military since the beginning of the year, with approximately 16,000 joining in the last 10 days alone.
“During interviews held in Russian cities over the past week, most candidates stated the desire to avenge the tragedy that occurred on March 22, 2024 in the Moscow region as the main reason for signing a contract,” the ministry said.
At least 144 people were killed in a mass shooting and fire at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in an attack claimed by the Islamic State militant group.
Russia, however, claims that the attackers had ties to Ukraine – an assertion repeatedly denied by Kyiv and dismissed as nonsense by the United States.
Russia is dependent on a steady influx of new recruits for the armed forces to continue the war in Ukraine, now in its third year.
President Vladimir Putin mandated a draft of 300,000 men in September 2022 but has stated that another compulsory mobilization is unnecessary due to the strong numbers of voluntary enlistment.
Posters across Russian cities praise the soldiers fighting in Ukraine as patriots and heroes, and many of those enlisting are attracted by substantially higher salaries than they can earn as civilians.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has been gradually advancing in the past two months after a Ukrainian counteroffensive last year failed to make significant gains.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced last month that Moscow will reinforce its military by adding two new armies and 30 new formations by the end of this year.
