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Shoigu outlines mission to grow contract servicemen to 745,000 by end of 2024

The defense chief emphasized that "the policy towards the progressive development of the Russian Army and improvement of its combat capabilities will be continued next year"

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has outlined the objective of bringing the number of contract servicemen to 745,000 by the end of 2024 as a top priority for the country.

"To bring the number of contract servicemen, taking into account the manning of new units, to 745,000 people by the end of the [next] year. To ensure the guaranteed and timely construction of military and social infrastructure facilities taking into account the growing needs of the Armed Forces," the minister told a meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.

Shoigu noted that in accordance with the president's instructions, "the policy towards the progressive development of the Russian Army and improvement of its combat capabilities will be continued next year."

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