Russia’s overwhelming manpower advantage against Ukraine is starting to wane

Russia is dangling huge incentives—about $80,000 signing bonuses and up to $140,000 in debt relief—to recruit men for the war in Ukraine.
Recruitment is still faltering (down roughly 20%) and the conflict has caused a severe labor shortage, worsening inflation and economic strain at home.
Ukraine’s growing use of drones and robots is inflicting heavy Russian casualties and territorial losses, pushing Moscow to rely on prisoners, foreign recruits and other desperate measures.