Desperate for Recruits, Russia Launches a ‘Stealth Mobilization’

Russia needs more soldiers, desperately, and is already using what some analysts call a ‘‘stealth mobilization’’ to bring in new recruits without resorting to a politically risky national draft.

To make up the manpower shortfall, the Kremlin is relying on a combination of impoverished ethnic minorities, Ukrainians from the separatist territories, mercenaries and militarized National Guard units to fight the war. It is promising hefty cash incentives for volunteers. Read more

@nytimes