Russia Plans to Recruit 67,000 Contract Servicemen for Southern Military District in 2026, Including from Occupied Ukrainian Territories

Russia Outlines 2026 Military Recruitment Goals

The Russian Federation plans to recruit approximately 67,000 new contract servicemen in 2026, primarily to bolster its Southern Military District. This recruitment drive is set to include individuals from Ukrainian territories currently under Russian occupation, according to statements from Ukrainian intelligence.

Recruitment Focus on Occupied Ukrainian Territories

A substantial part of the planned recruitment is specifically targeting Ukraine's temporarily occupied regions. These include the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, and parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate that specific recruitment targets have been established for these areas, with approximately 3,500 individuals sought from occupied Crimea, 750 from Sevastopol, around 530 from occupied Zaporizhzhia, and roughly 300 from occupied Kherson.

This strategy is viewed by Ukrainian officials as an effort to replenish forces that have sustained losses and to further legitimize Russia's military presence in the occupied territories. Ukrainian intelligence has already noted active recruitment, with 130 individuals reportedly enlisted from occupied territories in the first ten days of 2026 alone.

Violation of International Law Cited

The recruitment of civilians from territories under foreign military occupation is considered a violation of international law. This practice aligns with broader Russian efforts to integrate these territories, including through measures such as year-round conscription, which Russian President Vladimir Putin mandated for 2026, aiming to enlist 261,000 soldiers.

Broader Context of Russian Military Expansion

Beyond the specific target for the Southern Military District, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has stated that Russia aims to recruit over 400,000 soldiers in total for 2026. This indicates a comprehensive push to expand military personnel. Russia has also reportedly engaged in recruitment efforts targeting foreign nationals, including from African countries, offering incentives such as financial compensation and potential Russian citizenship.