Russia does not plan to conduct a mass mobilization and plans to get by with hiring contract soldiers. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing sources. 

The journalists cite data from the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, which claims that Russia hires 30,000 contract soldiers every month. Thus, the ranks of the Russian army will be replenished by 300,000 people in 2024, but this will be done gradually, not at once.

The publication writes that Russia attracts new contractors to the war with large payments. Since the beginning of the year, the amount of payments has increased by 40% and averaged 470,000 rubles (approximately $5,000). This is in addition to the fixed federal payment of 195,000 rubles.

The Russian authorities also hope that some of the 150,000 spring conscripts will sign a contract and agree to participate in military operations after four months of service. The publication notes that more and more recruits complain about psychological and physical pressure. The contracts are officially for one year, but can be canceled by the Ministry of Defense in case of military mobilization.

It is likely that this increase in numbers will not allow Russia to count on capturing the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, or Odesa in the near future. However, the situation in Donbas could worsen for the Ukrainian armed forces. In addition, analysts express doubts about Russia's ability to capture Sloviansk and Kramatorsk this year.

It should be noted that in December, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to increase the number of armed forces from 1.15 million to 1.5 million. In January, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine number slightly less than 900,000 people.