Russia has seen a significant jump in the number of people signing contracts to join the armed forces since last month's deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow, the defense ministry said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
The statement said more than 100.000 people had signed contracts with the military since the beginning of the year, including about 16.000 in the last 10 days alone.
"During the interviews that were conducted during the past week at the polling stations in Russian cities, the majority of the candidates cited as the main motive for concluding the contract the desire to avenge those killed in the tragedy that occurred on March 22, 2024 in the Moscow region," the Ministry said. .
At least 144 people were killed in a mass shooting and fire at the Crocus City concert hall in an attack claimed by the Islamic State militant group.
Russia, however, said the attackers were linked to Ukraine - something Kiev has repeatedly denied and the US has dismissed as nonsense.
Reuters writes that Russia is relying on a steady flow of new recruits into the armed forces to fight the war in Ukraine, which is already in its third year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an unpopular conscription of 300.000 people in September 2022, but said there was no need for another mandatory mobilization because the number of signed voluntary contracts was very large.
Posters across Russian cities glorify the soldiers fighting in Ukraine as patriots and heroes, and many of those who enlist attract salaries far higher than they could earn as civilians.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has made slow progress over the past two months after a Ukrainian counter-offensive last year failed to achieve significant results.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month that Moscow would strengthen its military by adding two new armies and 30 new formations by the end of this year.
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