{"id":33511,"date":"2026-06-14T06:46:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T06:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/14\/russias-overwhelming-manpower-advantage-against-ukraine-is-starting-to-wane\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T06:46:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T06:46:47","slug":"russias-overwhelming-manpower-advantage-against-ukraine-is-starting-to-wane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/14\/russias-overwhelming-manpower-advantage-against-ukraine-is-starting-to-wane\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia\u2019s overwhelming manpower advantage against Ukraine is starting to wane"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-editable=\"content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<div data-editable=\"aiSummary\" class=\"article__ai-summary-wrapper\">\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/ai-article-summary\/instances\/cmq9mjcfh0000356rgwhhk7po@published\" class=\"ai-article-summary hidden  \" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-selector-brand=\"accent-ai\">\n    <button class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle\"><br \/>\n        <strong class=\"ai-article-summary__title\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__stars-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\">\n    <path d=\"M16.7322 12.6297L14.7237 12.0545C13.8192 11.7989 12.9952 11.315 12.3307 10.6491C11.6662 9.98311 11.1834 9.15741 10.9284 8.25095L10.3544 6.23807C10.3255 6.16765 10.2764 6.10741 10.2133 6.06502C10.1502 6.02263 10.076 6 10 6C9.92403 6 9.84978 6.02263 9.78667 6.06502C9.72357 6.10741 9.67446 6.16765 9.6456 6.23807L9.07163 8.25095C8.81662 9.15741 8.33377 9.98311 7.66926 10.6491C7.00476 11.315 6.18084 11.7989 5.27634 12.0545L3.26781 12.6297C3.19069 12.6516 3.12281 12.6982 3.07448 12.7623C3.02615 12.8264 3 12.9045 3 12.9848C3 13.0652 3.02615 13.1433 3.07448 13.2074C3.12281 13.2715 3.19069 13.3181 3.26781 13.34L5.27634 13.9152C6.18084 14.1708 7.00476 14.6547 7.66926 15.3206C8.33377 15.9866 8.81662 16.8123 9.07163 17.7187L9.6456 19.7316C9.66749 19.8089 9.71393 19.8769 9.77789 19.9254C9.84185 19.9738 9.91983 20 10 20C10.0802 20 10.1581 19.9738 10.2221 19.9254C10.2861 19.8769 10.3325 19.8089 10.3544 19.7316L10.9284 17.7187C11.1834 16.8123 11.6662 15.9866 12.3307 15.3206C12.9952 14.6547 13.8192 14.1708 14.7237 13.9152L16.7322 13.34C16.8093 13.3181 16.8772 13.2715 16.9255 13.2074C16.9738 13.1433 17 13.0652 17 12.9848C17 12.9045 16.9738 12.8264 16.9255 12.7623C16.8772 12.6982 16.8093 12.6516 16.7322 12.6297Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n    <path d=\"M19.8852 5.84129L19.0244 5.59477C18.6368 5.48524 18.2837 5.27786 17.9989 4.99245C17.7141 4.70705 17.5072 4.35317 17.3979 3.96469L17.1519 3.10203C17.1395 3.07185 17.1185 3.04603 17.0914 3.02787C17.0644 3.0097 17.0326 3 17 3C16.9674 3 16.9356 3.0097 16.9086 3.02787C16.8815 3.04603 16.8605 3.07185 16.8481 3.10203L16.6021 3.96469C16.4928 4.35317 16.2859 4.70705 16.0011 4.99245C15.7163 5.27786 15.3632 5.48524 14.9756 5.59477L14.1148 5.84129C14.0817 5.85069 14.0526 5.87064 14.0319 5.89811C14.0112 5.92558 14 5.95907 14 5.9935C14 6.02794 14.0112 6.06143 14.0319 6.0889C14.0526 6.11637 14.0817 6.13632 14.1148 6.14572L14.9756 6.39224C15.3632 6.50176 15.7163 6.70915 16.0011 6.99455C16.2859 7.27996 16.4928 7.63383 16.6021 8.02231L16.8481 8.88498C16.8575 8.9181 16.8774 8.94725 16.9048 8.96801C16.9322 8.98877 16.9656 9 17 9C17.0344 9 17.0678 8.98877 17.0952 8.96801C17.1226 8.94725 17.1425 8.9181 17.1519 8.88498L17.3979 8.02231C17.5072 7.63383 17.7141 7.27996 17.9989 6.99455C18.2837 6.70915 18.6368 6.50176 19.0244 6.39224L19.8852 6.14572C19.9183 6.13632 19.9474 6.11637 19.9681 6.0889C19.9888 6.06143 20 6.02794 20 5.9935C20 5.95907 19.9888 5.92558 19.9681 5.89811C19.9474 5.87064 19.9183 5.85069 19.8852 5.84129Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n            <span>Summary<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/strong><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-up\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-ui-caret-up\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12.478 6.21a.637.637 0 00-.946 0L2.206 16.229c-.225.243-.28.633-.093.91.237.355.7.385.975.089l8.917-9.579 8.878 9.537c.225.243.589.301.847.101a.721.721 0 00.082-1.048L12.478 6.211z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-down\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-ui-caret-down\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12.478 17.218a.637.637 0 01-.946 0L2.206 7.2c-.225-.242-.28-.632-.093-.91a.613.613 0 01.975-.088l8.917 9.579 8.878-9.538c.225-.242.589-.3.847-.1.33.255.357.752.082 1.048l-9.334 10.027z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"ai-article-summary__collapsible\">\n<ul class=\"ai-article-summary__items\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Despite offering generous bonuses to potential soldiers, Russia&#8217;s military recruitment fell 20% in the first quarter of this year compared to 2025.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Russia&#8217;s severe labor shortage is straining both its defense industry and civilian economy.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Russia&#8217;s military recruitment issues could potentially force President Vladimir Putin to order another unpopular mobilization \u2013 a step he&#8217;s taken extreme measures to avoid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__disclaimer-text\">AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq87w9du000x29qlgmbn64kr@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            What would you do with an $80,000 bonus, more than quadruple the amount of an average annual salary? Or with $140,000 in debt relief?\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00023b6rwtmeakew@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Those are the questions being posed to men in Russia, as the military advertises multi-million-ruble incentives to fight in Ukraine. Ads plastered on roadside billboards and embedded in young men\u2019s social media feeds are offering eye-watering sums \u2013 more than many people earn in years \u2013 alongside promises to become a \u201chero\u201d or be fast-tracked to Russian citizenship.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00033b6rg3e96j2c@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And yet military recruitment was <a href=\"https:\/\/janiskluge.substack.com\/p\/russian-recruitment-fell-by-20-in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">down by 20%<\/a> in the first quarter of this year compared to 2025, and there are signs it\u2019s still <a href=\"https:\/\/substack.com\/home\/post\/p-201269303\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">faltering<\/a>, according to Russian economy expert Janis Kluge.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00043b6rqi18kq9h@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The Kremlin\u2019s strategy has long been to outlast Ukraine in an attritional war profiting from its immense population and large military industry that can sustain a slow, grinding campaign. And now, with the Ukraine war in its fifth year, President Vladimir Putin\u2019s war coffers are getting a much-needed boost thanks to the Iran war increasing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/03\/27\/business\/iran-war-russia-ukraine-impact-intl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oil prices.<\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00053b6rw27q4v1o@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The problem?\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00063b6rv2kzoro8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cRubles don\u2019t fight wars,\u201d said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). He noted that this is the first war in Russia\u2019s history in which the state is paying citizens to fight rather than forcing them \u2013 and that is leading to economic strain and manpower issues.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq9jrey4001g3b6r9yifa0ew@published\" class=\"image_expandable-elevate vossi-image_expandable-elevate  image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2257291571-.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.667\" data-original-height=\"2001\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2257291571.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"639\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2257291571.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_639,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"903\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2257291571.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_903,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"668\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2257291571.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_668,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"780\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2257291571.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"834\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2257291571.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_834,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2257291571.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\" alt=\"A poster in Dolgoprundy, Russia, advertises contract military service bonuses \" starting=\"\" from=\"\" rubles=\"\" in=\"\" january=\"\" that=\"\" the=\"\" equivalent=\"\" of=\"\" about=\"\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"2001\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq9loz1600003b6rcqwwzqsr@published\" class=\"image_expandable-elevate vossi-image_expandable-elevate  image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"GettyImages-1507595748-.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\" data-original-height=\"2000\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"639\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_639,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"903\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_903,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"668\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_668,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"780\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"834\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_834,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\" alt=\"A man walks past a contract army service mobile recruitment point in Moscow on July 6, 2023.\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00073b6rhqgyyi0w@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThere are signs that this incentive may no longer be working effectively, and that Russia has begun to lose more troops than it can recruit,\u201d Gould-Davies said in a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iiss.org\/research-paper\/2026\/05\/the-coming-crisis-in-russias-political-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report.<\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00083b6rm3e32o14@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Analysts say Moscow is resorting to increasingly desperate measures to shore up its forces, and Putin will likely be forced to make more unpopular decisions this year if he wants to continue his invasion of Ukraine.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a00093b6r681829hl@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            After all, if a potential military recruit was unwilling to take a hefty signing bonus last year, it is unclear what would make them change their mind now, especially given <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/02\/22\/europe\/russia-wounded-troops-frontline-latam-intl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reports of poor treatment<\/a> on the front lines and of soldiers bribing their officers to avoid being sent on certain-death ground missions.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq9l1z6200003b6rfgj6k0cp@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate vossi-image_large-elevate  image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"GettyImages-1243574091-.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\" data-original-height=\"2000\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1243574091.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_large__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1243574091.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1243574091.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1243574091.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1243574091.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1243574091.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1243574091.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\" alt=\"People are seen trying to leave Russia at the border with Georgia in September 2022, shortly after Putin's partial mobilization.\" class=\"image_large__dam-img image_large__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_large__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"2000\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a000b3b6r12z3oh5g@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Russia has already sent tens of thousands of former prisoners to the front lines, been reinforced by three separate waves of North Korean soldiers and incentivized immigrants to join its military. The government recently announced another recruitment drive, offering to pay off debts of up to $140,000 for men who sign up and might otherwise face penalties for defaulting.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a000c3b6rba0wd2s5@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And the conflict\u2019s drain on men of fighting age has had ramifications for the rest of the Russian economy, which is now dealing with a wider labor crisis.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a000d3b6r7uadz4e7@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIt\u2019s not just struggling to find people to go to the front\u2026 they\u2019re struggling to find people to employ,\u201d Gould-Davies told CNN.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a000e3b6rskne04td@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            For the defense industry specifically, there are signs that it\u2019s already operating at maximum capacity, with factories working around the clock. That means it\u2019s difficult for Russia to increase the military output any further, while the demand for factory workers places even more strain on the rest of the economy.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2a000f3b6rf903xtab@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe whole Russian economy is suffering from the most severe labor shortage in history,.\u201d Gould-Davies said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000g3b6rdltjv9qi@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war, according to some Western intelligence reports, and hundreds of thousands more have left the country to avoid being drafted. The resulting labor shortage is driving up wages, another source of inflation in the country.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq9jxvzl001k3b6rcxhxuxot@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2274722243-.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.667\" data-original-height=\"2001\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2274722243.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2274722243.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2274722243.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2274722243.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2274722243.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2274722243.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2274722243.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Russian and North Korean servicemen attend Moscow's Victory Day parade on May 9, 2026. North Korea sent three waves of soldiers to fight in Russia's war on Ukraine.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"2001\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000h3b6r4qru3oby@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cLabor is a scarcer input than physical capital or finance. It is also harder to increase,\u201d according to Gould-Davies. \u201cWith effort, it is possible to build a new factory or raise money. But the state cannot dictate the birth rate.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000i3b6rqk0cn9vd@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The labor shortage could compel the Kremlin to recruit more labor from India, North Korea and various African nations to ease pressures on both the civilian and military sectors.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000k3b6rps1tkznf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            More drastically, it could mean a second forced mobilization of troops, coupled with measures like curtailing the freedom of citizens to leave the country \u2013 particularly men of conscription age. That\u2019s something Putin has been keen to avoid, after the first \u201cpartial mobilization\u201d proved hugely unpopular and caused many Russians to emigrate.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000l3b6rkmngycn2@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe Kremlin will soon face a fundamental choice over whether to radically escalate its demands on Russia\u2019s economy and society or to scale back its war aims,\u201d Gould-Davies predicts.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000n3b6rm41nqz37@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Some experts, including Maria Snegovaya at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, think the Kremlin can muddle through its recruitment issues by putting more pressure on the regions outside of major cities like Moscow, pushing students to sign military contracts and recruiting more foreign nationals. The fact that the defense sector is approaching maximum capacity also presents difficulties for Putin, but is \u201cnot catastrophic,\u201d Snegovaya said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000o3b6rjxuhvpwn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Economically, though, \u201cthe strain is becoming increasingly visible,\u201d Snegovaya told CNN. \u201cThis year in particular we see the economic costs finally imposing difficult tradeoffs on the Kremlin.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000p3b6r58fn8b9g@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            She noted that \u201cthe fiscal burden of sustaining the war effort\u201d has increased, given that Russia\u2019s military personnel and recruitment costs account for tens of billions of dollars each year, amounting to 9.5% of total federal budget and 2% of the country\u2019s GDP by some estimates.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq9k3a2k001m3b6r0c32yjk5@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate vossi-image_large-elevate  image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"screengrab Alabuga documentary copy.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.5625\" data-original-height=\"1125\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/screengrab-alabuga-documentary-copy.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_large__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/screengrab-alabuga-documentary-copy.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/screengrab-alabuga-documentary-copy.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/screengrab-alabuga-documentary-copy.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/screengrab-alabuga-documentary-copy.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/screengrab-alabuga-documentary-copy.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/screengrab-alabuga-documentary-copy.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\" alt=\"A Russian Ministry of Defense documentary showcased production inside the Alabuga drone factory. Analysts say there are signs that Russia's defense industry is already operating at maximum capacity, making it difficult to increase the military output any further.\" class=\"image_large__dam-img image_large__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_large__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1125\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000q3b6r0yxiz8kq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Russia is experiencing growth stagnation \u2013 even recession by some economists\u2019 estimates \u2013 as well as rampant business closures and declining consumer confidence, Snegovaya said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000r3b6rupo1bodt@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Despite some wage growth, incomes haven\u2019t kept pace with persistent inflation. The official annual inflation rate as of June is 5.52%, according to Russian state media TASS. Ordinary Russian households face food prices that are up more than 18% compared to January 2024, sky-high utility bills, and a recent two-percentage-point hike in sales tax. Ukrainian strikes on Russia\u2019s critical infrastructure have also led to gasoline shortages in some areas and persistent airport delays.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000s3b6rlykl2zfs@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Even though the overall rate of inflation has slowed again, Snegovaya said consumer sentiment on the issue remains negative.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000t3b6rn8tolp7c@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThese trends could \u2026weaken support for the war, potentially increasing social discontent,\u201d Snegovaya said. \u201cHowever, the regime is boosting its repressive apparatus.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000u3b6rnvhs6f9f@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe Kremlin has tended to double down on its goals rather than scale them back,\u201d the analyst warned.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000w3b6r8p006r38@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Meanwhile, Ukraine\u2019s advancements in drone warfare and technology mean its military is inflicting far more casualties on Russia than earlier in the war.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000x3b6rf48k4yi3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cUkrainian forces are achieving and out-innovating\u201d on the battlefield, particularly when it comes to their use of tactical drones, according to analyst Kateryna Stepanenko at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000y3b6rbye1gb6o@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that his forces had captured a Russian position <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/30\/europe\/ukraine-robots-drones-russia-war-intl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">using only drones and robots<\/a> for the first time, and had conducted more than 22,000 unmanned ground missions using robots in just the first three months of 2026.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b000z3b6r15zi1jzz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            In May, Ukraine had a net territorial gain of nearly 100 square kilometers (39 square miles), making it the second month in a row that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/14\/europe\/russia-winning-streak-ukraine-over-intl-cmd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Russian forces experienced a net loss<\/a>, according to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b00103b6rx5t20171@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Russian casualty rates stand at around 30,000 to 35,000 a month, according to Western officials, although estimates vary. Syrskyi has claimed that in May, Ukraine\u2019s drone operators killed or wounded more soldiers than Russia could recruit.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq9kwtdl00033b6remwvygfo@published\" class=\"image_expandable-elevate vossi-image_expandable-elevate  image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"2026-01-19T162610Z_966369945_RC294JAB3PAD_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-RUSSIA-MILITARY.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6603333333333333\" data-original-height=\"1981\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-01-19t162610z-966369945-rc294jab3pad-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-20260611143447929.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"639\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-01-19t162610z-966369945-rc294jab3pad-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-20260611143447929.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_639,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"903\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-01-19t162610z-966369945-rc294jab3pad-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-20260611143447929.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_903,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"668\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-01-19t162610z-966369945-rc294jab3pad-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-20260611143447929.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_668,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"780\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-01-19t162610z-966369945-rc294jab3pad-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-20260611143447929.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"834\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-01-19t162610z-966369945-rc294jab3pad-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-20260611143447929.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_834,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-01-19t162610z-966369945-rc294jab3pad-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-military-20260611143447929.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\" alt=\"Russian service members undergo an intensive combat training course in the Rostov region on January 19, 2026.\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1981\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq9kdqdx001y3b6rv5dyd2py@published\" class=\"image_expandable-elevate vossi-image_expandable-elevate  image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"2026-02-20T090729Z_1746056918_RC2IPJA4ISRB_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-RUSSIA-AID.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6603333333333333\" data-original-height=\"1981\" data-original-width=\"3000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-02-20t090729z-1746056918-rc2ipja4isrb-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-aid.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"639\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-02-20t090729z-1746056918-rc2ipja4isrb-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-aid.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_639,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"903\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-02-20t090729z-1746056918-rc2ipja4isrb-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-aid.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_903,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"668\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-02-20t090729z-1746056918-rc2ipja4isrb-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-aid.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_668,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"780\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-02-20t090729z-1746056918-rc2ipja4isrb-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-aid.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"834\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-02-20t090729z-1746056918-rc2ipja4isrb-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-aid.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_834,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-02-20t090729z-1746056918-rc2ipja4isrb-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russia-aid.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_780,c_fill\" alt=\"Russian service members take part in a ceremonial handover of supplies provided for Russia's army by the truckmaker Kamaz, in Rostov-on-Don in February 2026.\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1981\" width=\"3000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b00113b6ryubjp476@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And while Ukraine\u2019s war tech is improving, experts say the Russian army has become weaker as it sends larger numbers of former prisoners and untrained soldiers to the front.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b00123b6rg853w3ni@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Moscow\u2019s efforts to recruit students for its own expert drone units have been mired in distrust and setbacks, according to Stepanenko, after Russia\u2019s Ministry of Defense committed some drone operators to frontline ground assaults.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b00133b6r9kx88nbc@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThat created a really-not-helpful PR campaign for the unmanned systems forces recruitment,\u201d Stepanenko said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq9jpg2b00143b6rzf1n8nas@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <em>CNN\u2019s Anna Chernova contributed to this report.<\/em>\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary Despite offering generous bonuses to potential soldiers, Russia&#8217;s military recruitment fell 20% in the first quarter of this year<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_animmysite_disable_animation":false,"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-1507595748.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_800,c_fill","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[214],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-usa-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33511\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}