Russia abolishes military age limit as it scrambles for fresh troops after Ukraine losses

Russian President Vladimir Putin is doing everything short of declaring a general mobilization to make up for significant losses in Ukraine.

Der Spiegel reports that the Russian army is resorting to both carrot and stick to drum up recruitment – attractive offers several times the average Russian salary, issuing threats and sending out huge numbers of seemingly binding summons to reservists – which they hope some, either out of fear or ignorance, interpret as a call up order.

The parliament even abolished the age limit of 40 for contract soldiers, meaning people up to the age of 65 can now apply.

But official summons can be sent if Putin declares a general mobilization, which he desperately trying to avoid because it may be interpreted as an admission of failure, according to Der Spiegel.

The Kremlin also wants to avoid disrupting the daily life of Russians to keep up the appearance the invasion is going well.

The terms of the deals being offered are “striking,” offering pay solely reserved for mercenaries like those fighting for the elite Wagner Group.

Putin has also promised benefits for the families of soldiers who die in battle, like compensation of five million rubles ($90,000) and preferred university enrollment for their children.

Kirill Krechetov, a 35-year-old construction worker who served in special forces during his mandatory military service, told Der Spiegel he was offered 300,000 rubles ($5,500) per month to sign, a sum seven times as high as the average salary in his region.

Krechetov, who asked that his real name not be used, was lured to the local recruiter’s office by an official-looking letter with the heading “Military Correspondence,” but turned the offer down out of concern for his family and ailing parents.

The recruiter presented Krechetov with a blank sheet of paper and demanded the reservist write down the reasons “why he refused to fight for Russia” before he was allowed to leave.

"I know how many of our boys are dying in Ukraine,” said Krechetov, who favors social network Telegram over state media.

"They only lie on the television."