Russia has no plans to mobilize additional troops to fight in Ukraine, as more than 335,000 people have signed up to join the armed forces or volunteer units this year, Defense Minister Serhii Soigu said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Russia has strengthened its armed forces and increased weapons production in anticipation of a protracted war in Ukraine, where there has been no major change on the front line over the past year.

“There are no plans for further mobilization,” Soigu told his generals in images broadcast on state television.

“The armed forces have the necessary number of servicemen to conduct a military special operation,” he continued.

Shoigu, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, hailed the patriotism of those who entered the military service: “Since the beginning of the year, more than 335,000 people have entered the military service under contract and voluntary formations.”

“Over 50,000 citizens signed contracts in September alone,” he added.

These figures indicate that Russia has made significant progress both in the recruitment of new recruits and in the recruitment of many mercenary fighters of the Wagner PMC into “volunteer formations”.

Last September, Putin ordered the “partial mobilization” of 300,000 reservists, prompting hundreds of thousands of young men to flee Russia to avoid being sent into combat. Since then, the Kremlin leader has stated several times that there is no need for a new mobilization.