- Russia is desperately selling military service as a "worthy future" to prospective recruits.
- Mobile recruitment spots are advertising the benefits of enrollment, even as thousands die in Ukraine.
As Russia hopes to ramp up its recruitment process for new troops, authorities have begun advertising military career benefits, including social status and a monetary allowance, The Washington Post reported, citing social media ads and army brochures.
The move comes as thousands have and continue to die in bloody fighting in Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, regional authorities have been issuing statements VKontakte, Russian's Facebook-style social media site, detailing the rewards of enlisting in the military.
"Contract service allows one to obtain a high social status and a decent standard of living," one statement said, the Post reported. "Servicemen note that among this career's advantages are: provision of social housing, the open choice of where to serve, provision of uniforms and equipment, additional benefits and high monetary allowance."
Mobile pop-up stands in major cities such as Moscow and Perm have also appeared, distributing military enrollment information to passersby and advertising contact information for local enlistment offices, the Post reported.
Some of the army brochures say that "Contract service is a worthy future," the Post reported.
In recent months, Russian authorities have also increasingly sensationalized military enrollment in television ads.
Insider previously reported that one such ad, which told viewers to be "a real man" and sign up to fight in Ukraine, featured men donning military gear in civilian settings, such as the grocery store.
The digital propaganda is Russia's latest move to bolster recruitment ahead of Ukraine's long-anticipated counteroffensive. And although Russian President Vladimir Putin originally resisted calls for a mobilization drive at the beginning of the war, his partial mobilization last September sparked widespread panic.
Russia's push for more troops and glamorization of military enrollment comes as the country's casualties continue to climb. In late February, estimates suggested between 60,000 and 70,000 Russian soldiers had died on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Even the lower figure is still greater than all the Russian soldiers that were killed in wars since World War II.