The Russians want revenge. The terrorist attack in Moscow triggered a wave of military enlistments

Russia has seen a significant increase in the number of people signing contracts to join the armed forces after last month’s deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow. “The candidates indicated a desire to avenge those killed,” the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday, Reuters writes.

In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said more than 100,000 people had signed contracts with the military since the start of the year, including about 16,000 in the past 10 days alone.

“During interviews held last week at selection points in Russian cities, most candidates indicated the desire to avenge those killed in the March 22, 2024 tragedy in the Moscow region as the main reason for concluding a contract,” the ministry’s statement said.

At least 144 people have been killed in a gun attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State militant group.

Russia, however, said the attackers were linked to Ukraine, which Kiev has repeatedly denied and the United States dismissed as “nonsense”.

Russia is relying on a steady flow of new recruits to the armed forces to fight the war in Ukraine, now in its third year.

President Vladimir Putin ordered an unpopular draft to draft 300,000 men in September 2022, but said there was no need for another mandatory mobilization because the number signing voluntary contracts was so high.

At the end of March this year, Putin signed a new decree for the six-month military recruitment, 150,000 men being called up for compulsory military service.

Posters in Russian cities praise the soldiers fighting in Ukraine as patriots and heroes, and many of those who sign up are lured by salaries far higher than they can earn as civilians.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has advanced slowly over the past two months after a Ukrainian counter-offensive last year failed to make significant gains.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month that Moscow would strengthen its army by adding two new armored corps and 30 new divisions and brigades by the end of this year.

Publisher: MI

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