Since 2022 enlistment numbers for Russia’s military have reportedly fallen, with their Ministry of Defense even offering citizenship to foreigners who fight for their country. However, those numbers have apparently skyrocketed recently after the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow. Veuer’s Tony Spitz has the details.
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00:00 Back in 2022, Vladimir Putin conscripted some 300,000 men to fight his war in Ukraine.
00:06 Since then, enlistment numbers have reportedly fallen,
00:08 with Russia even offering citizenship to foreigners who fight for their country.
00:12 However, according to Russia's Ministry of Defense, those numbers have now skyrocketed.
00:17 After the terrorist attack on Krokus City Hall in Moscow,
00:20 the mass shooting left at least 144 people dead and the building on fire.
00:25 It's worth mentioning that authorities in the US said they had intelligence
00:29 pointing to an impending attack, though they say Putin shrugged off the warning.
00:32 Now, according to the ministry, some 16,000 have signed military contracts
00:37 in the last 10 days alone, saying in a recent statement, quote,
00:40 "During interviews conducted over the past week at selection points in Russian cities,
00:44 most candidates indicated the desire to avenge those killed in the tragedy
00:48 that occurred on March 22, 2024, in the Moscow region,
00:52 as the main motive for concluding a contract."
00:55 They added that since the start of 2024, some 100,000 have enlisted.
00:59 This recent enlistment announcement comes just days after Vladimir Putin signed a new decree
01:04 calling up 150,000 Russian citizens for statutory military service.
01:10 (upbeat music)