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Analysis of Russian Military Recruitment:A Detailed Breakdown of English Grammar, Vocabulary and Phrases


In recent months, the Russian Government has doubled sign-up bonuses for contract soldiers and blanketed the airwaves, social media and city streets with recruitment ads. And a new law allows criminal suspects to avoid trial if they sign up to fight.


At the same time, President Vladimir Putin has decreed that increasing births is a national priority, an effort that entered a newly repressive phase last week with a bill that would outlaw any advocacy for a child-free lifestyle.


The two campaigns are separate, but in wartime Russia, they are also two sides of the same coin: the Kremlin’s increasingly aggressive attempt to enlist regular Russians in reshaping their country to prevail over the West.


For the short term, Mr. Putin’s army needs more soldiers. It is suffering 1,000 casualties per day, by Western estimates, in a war of attrition in Ukraine that shows no sign of ending.


And for the long term, in Mr. Putin’s view, Russia needs more people—to underpin an economy increasingly isolated from the West, to reduce the country’s reliance on immigration, and, of course, to provide the recruitment pool for any future wars.


Last month, Mr. Putin ordered the ranks of Russia’s military to be increased by 180,000 service members to 1.5 million.


But analysts say that standing up an army of 1.5 million is unrealistic—in large part because of Russia’s shrinking population. Dara Massicot argues that Russia’s challenge will not only be recruiting new soldiers, but also to have a labor force big enough to churn out the weapons and equipment that such a huge army would need.



Understanding Key Terms


“In recent months, the Russian Government has doubled sign-up bonuses for contract soldiers and blanketed the airwaves, social media and city streets with recruitment ads.”

In this context, blanketed means to cover something completely or extensively.

When it says the Russian government "blanketed the airwaves, social media, and city streets with recruitment ads," it means they heavily or thoroughly spread these ads across those platforms, ensuring they were seen everywhere—on TV, social media, and even in physical spaces like streets.



“At the same time, President Vladimir Putin has decreed that increasing births is a national priority, an effort that entered a newly repressive phase last week with a bill that would outlaw any advocacy for a child-free lifestyle.”


  • A decree is an official order or decision issued by a person in authority, such as a government leader or a court.

  • Repressive refers to actions or policies that restrict freedom or control people in a harsh or oppressive way. Outlaw means to make something illegal or ban it by law.

  • Advocacy is the act of publicly supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy.



Let's summarize everything together


President Vladimir Putin has officially declared that increasing the number of births in Russia is a top national concern. This effort has recently become more controlling, as a new bill aims to ban any promotion or support for choosing a lifestyle without children, making it illegal to advocate for not having kids. This suggests the government is tightening its control over societal values related to family and reproduction.



“The two campaigns are separate, but in wartime Russia, they are also two sides of the same coin: the Kremlin’s increasingly aggressive attempt to enlist regular Russians in reshaping their country to prevail over the West.”


  • Enlist means to formally join or sign up for a group or organization, typically the military. It can also mean to actively recruit or encourage someone to join a cause or effort.

  • Prevail means to triumph, succeed, or gain victory over something, especially after a struggle. It can also mean to be widespread or dominant in a particular situation.


Let's summarize everything together


The sentence explains that while two different campaigns are happening in Russia, they both serve the same purpose during wartime. The Russian government, or Kremlin, is becoming more forceful in trying to get ordinary citizens involved in efforts to reshape the country in a way that strengthens Russia against the West.



“It is suffering 1,000 casualties per day, by Western estimates, in a war of attrition in Ukraine that shows no sign of ending.”

Attrition refers to a gradual reduction in strength, numbers, or effectiveness due to sustained pressure or continuous losses over time.


The war in Ukraine is causing significant daily casualties (1,000 per day), with both sides engaged in a prolonged, exhausting battle where they aim to weaken each other gradually. There is no clear end in sight for this conflict.



“And for the long term, in Mr. Putin’s view, Russia needs more people—to underpin an economy increasingly isolated from the West, to reduce the country’s reliance on immigration, and, of course, to provide the recruitment pool for any future wars.”


  • Underpin means to provide support, foundation, or justification for something. It is often used to describe the basis or essential elements that strengthen or stabilize a concept, system, or structure.

  • Isolate means to separate something or someone from others.

  • Reliance refers to the state of depending on or trusting in someone or something. It indicates a level of dependency or the need for support, assistance, or resources.



Let's summarize everything together


Mr. Putin believes that increasing the population is vital for Russia's long-term economic stability, especially as it faces isolation from Western countries. This strategy aims to create a more self-reliant workforce, reduce dependence on immigration, and ensure a sufficient number of people available for military recruitment in potential future conflicts.



“But analysts say that standing up an army of 1.5 million is unrealistic—in large part because of Russia’s shrinking population. Dara Massicot argues that Russia’s challenge will not only be recruiting new soldiers, but also to have a labor force big enough to churn out the weapons and equipment that such a huge army would need.”


  • Shrink means to become smaller in size, amount, or value.

  • The term churn out means to produce something in large quantities efficiently.


Let's summarize everything together


The passage highlights that building a military force of 1.5 million is unrealistic for Russia mainly due to its declining population. Analysts point out that the challenges include not just recruiting enough soldiers but also ensuring there is a sufficient workforce to produce the weapons and equipment needed for such a large army.