Over 420,000 signed Russian military contracts in 2025, says Moscow

Over 420,000 people signed contracts for Russian military service in 2025, said the secretary of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, a six percent drop from 2024. Medvedev added that a further 32,000 joined Moscow's troops as "volunteers". The Russian government defines volunteers as personnel whose service is fixed by law to a shorter duration than that of military personnel, but who do not enjoy the same benefits.