Russia is intensifying its recruitment efforts to address troop shortages stemming from significant losses on the battlefield, according to insights from the London-based research group OpenMinds. The organization noted a substantial increase in social media advertising for military contract positions, with promotional posts rising by over 40% in the first half of 2025.
The recruitment ads are strategically focusing on “non-assault” positions, which include roles such as drivers and logistics personnel. These types of employment are often presented as “rear” or “quiet” service, implying a diminished risk. By July, approximately one in five recruitment advertisements on Russian platforms, including VK and Headhunter, used phrases such as “not storm units” or “no front line.” Notably, by April, the number of advertisements for driver roles had surpassed those for combat positions.
In a revealing dataset, the Dutch open-source intelligence site Oryx highlighted that trucks and transport vehicles accounted for as much as 30% of Russia’s monthly equipment losses between 2022 and 2025, occasionally exceeding the losses of tanks.
However, OpenMinds has cautioned that these job offers may misrepresent the actual risks associated with non-combat roles. Many recruits deployed to these positions often find themselves situated near active combat zones. According to Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi, CEO of OpenMinds, the recruitment campaign increasingly leverages misleading promises of “safe” service, a guarantee that recruiters are unlikely to fulfill.
Moreover, Russia’s recruitment strategy appears to have expanded its reach globally. Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation noted that the Kremlin is enlisting mercenaries in regions such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, framing the effort as “cooperation” with local authorities. These overseas recruits are reportedly being utilized not only to replace losses in Ukraine but also to conduct covert operations related to sabotage and political influence.
The report surfaced following revelations from Ukraine’s top military officials that an estimated 20,000 North Korean laborers are contributing to weapon production in Russian factories. Additionally, claims emerged last year that some Indian citizens had been misled into signing contracts for “support jobs” with the Russian military.
Overall, it appears that Russia’s recruitment strategy has evolved, moving away from traditional patriotic appeals to a more extensive global campaign that is shrouded in a facade of safety and economic necessity.
