Nikolai Pankov, the deputy defense minister, emphasized the Ministry of Defense’s ongoing focus on strengthening contract service. In the first ten days of June, more than 13,500 citizens joined on contract, a figure that marks a 2.1-fold increase over May and signals a strong shift toward professional, long-term service within the armed forces. This surge was highlighted in announcements from the ministry and echoed by regional officials and analysts familiar with Russia’s military staffing efforts .
According to the report, the recruitment momentum for the contract service is measurable not only in the total numbers but also in comparative growth across consecutive months. Specifically, the ten-day period of June exceeded the corresponding period in May by more than double and outpaced April 2023 by about triple, underscoring a sustained intensification of recruitment activity and a broadening of the talent pool willing to commit to military service .
Pankov pointed to several regions as leading performers in meeting and surpassing the recruitment plan. Moscow, the Moscow Region, Chechnya, Sevastopol, and additional areas are recognized for their ability to attract and retain contract personnel. This regional success reflects coordinated outreach, streamlined selection processes, and targeted incentives designed to attract qualified candidates to serve under contract terms .
On June 3, officials reported a nationwide expansion of contract service selection points and an increase in the number of trainers available to work with candidates. The ministry stated that efforts to enroll citizens into contract military service are ongoing and that a growing interest from the public has been observed. The enhanced training network and expanded recruitment infrastructure are described as critical components in sustaining the drive to fill contract positions across the country. The ministry also noted that the best results are emerging from the capital region and Bashkortostan, where recruitment activities have been particularly effective, supported by local partnerships and robust outreach campaigns .
Overall, the communications from the defense ministry paint a picture of a deliberate and expanding program aimed at increasing the number of personnel serving under contract. The rapid rise in early June numbers, together with regional leadership in recruitment, suggests a coordinated strategy designed to attract a broader segment of the population into professional military service. Analysts point to the combination of enhanced recruitment sites, more trainers, and defined regional success as key drivers behind the observed growth, with Moscow and its surroundings playing a central role in establishing best practices that could inform future phases of the program .