Russia’s desperate attempts to bolster its military forces have reached a new low, as officials in the Leningrad region have issued an urgent call for Ukrainian war veterans and former Soviet soldiers to sign three-year contracts to strengthen air defence units. Following a series of devastating drone strikes that targeted key oil export terminals, Russian authorities have been scrambling to shore up their defences.
In a striking move, they have appealed to seasoned veterans and ex-Soviet troops to rejoin the ranks, offering long-term commitments in exchange for their expertise. The region’s administration, rattled by the recent attacks, has turned to these soldiers, emphasising the critical need for experienced personnel to man advanced air defence systems. The recruitment drive comes as Russia seeks to replenish its military resources amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and escalating tensions.
Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko said in a Telegram post on Friday (April 17) that new “mobile fire groups” will be stationed at key facilities to counter aerial threats. He urged veterans of the war in Ukraine, as well as former Soviet and Russian soldiers, to sign three-year contracts to man the units.
The region plans to add 54 of those air defence groups to its existing 80 units by June 1.
Since the start of the year, air defence systems have intercepted 243 drones in the Leningrad region, Drozdenko said earlier this week.
“We have the longest border with the countries of the unfriendly NATO bloc,” the governor said, referring to Estonia and Finland. “Our region has become not only a border area, but also a frontline area.”
Senior federal officials, including Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev, this week, accused Finland and the Baltic states of allowing Ukraine to use their airspace for drone attacks against Russia. The four countries have denied Russia’s accusation.
Despite Russia’s large standing military, which includes one of the world’s largest armed forces with over a million active-duty personnel, the country has faced significant challenges in maintaining an effective fighting force. Estimates suggest total Russian casualties – killed and wounded – have surpassed 1.2million since February 2022.
While the Kremlin aims to add roughly 409,000 new personnel throughout 2026, recruitment rates are declining, according to the Institute for the Study of War. The reliance on poorly trained infantry and small group infiltration tactics reflects a shortage of specialised units. This has resulted in a pace of advance as slow as 32 to 164 feet (10-50m) per day in some regions.