Kremlin’s long-term plan to simply outlast Ukraine in a grinding war of attrition is hitting a major wall. While the Russian government has relied on its massive population and a military industry running at maximum capacity to sustain this conflict, the reality on the ground is shifting. As military recruitment numbers continue to slide, the Russian state is finding that money alone isn’t enough to keep the war machine fueled.
According to CNN, military recruitment was down by 20% in the first quarter of this year compared to 2025, and there are clear signs that the recruitment drive is faltering. Experts are pointing out that while the state is pouring massive financial incentives into the effort, it’s facing a fundamental problem.
