MOSCOW. Nov 9 (Interfax) - About 410,000 people have signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces since the start of 2023, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said.
"About 410,000 persons have been recruited by contract since January 1 of this year," Medvedev said at a meeting with troops at the Alabino range.
Recruitment by contract will continue next year, he said.
The president has made the respective decision, and the work has been going "quite well," Medvedev said. "We are not observing any outflow, quite the opposite, we see a certain increase in the number of people ready to defend their fatherland, our country. So, every supportive measure will apply," Medvedev said.
As for a longer period of training, Medvedev said, "We understand that if the current situation on the contact line allows extending this period, this is very good, and you, professionals, understand this well. Meanwhile, our enemy deploys God knows who, they just grab people, push a rifle into their hands, and send them forward. Consequences of such actions are understandable," he said.
A clip of the meeting was posted on Medvedev's VK page.