The Crocus City Hall attack, which occurred outside Moscow on March 22, claimed the lives of over 140 people and left hundreds wounded.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that more than 100,000 people have signed up to become contract soldiers for the Russian military in 2024, with around 16,000 signing up in the past 10 days alone.
Many of the recruits are said to be motivated by a desire to seek revenge for those killed in the attack. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State affiliate ISIS-K, but Ukraine and the West deny any involvement.
Russia aims to recruit 400,000 contract soldiers in 2024, following a mass campaign to promote contract service since spring 2023.