Moscow: In response to the heightened demands on the battlefield, President Vladimir Putin declared on Friday that Russia has successfully created more than half a million new jobs within its defence sector. This move comes as the Kremlin channels substantial resources to support its comprehensive assault on Ukraine, with the defence industry playing a pivotal role in sustaining the economy amidst imposed sanctions.
Addressing a political forum in the city of Tula, Putin emphasized the significance of reacting promptly and effectively to the evolving battlefield dynamics. He stated, “In the last year and a half alone, 520,000 new jobs have been created in defence.”
To underscore the importance of agility in the current military landscape, Putin remarked, “In order to be successful on the battlefield today, it is necessary to react quickly and adequately to what is happening there. So whoever does it all faster, wins.”
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues without major territorial gains for either side, Moscow is increasing its manpower commitment and intensifying arms production. Last year, Russia unveiled plans for a substantial 68-percent increase in military spending, surpassing allocations for education, environmental protection, and healthcare combined.
This surge in military expenditure has stimulated demand within Russia’s economy, luring workers away from civilian industries grappling with labor shortages and contributing to rising inflation. The record-low unemployment rate reflects the success of this approach, while several non-defence sectors report a chronic shortage of workers since the initiation of Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine nearly two years ago.
