UFA, December 24. /TASS/. Almost 440,000 Russian citizens have signed contracts for military service with Russia’s Defense Ministry this year, Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said during his working trip to the Republic of Bashkortostan on Tuesday

"Let us discuss the pace of selecting citizens for military service," Medvedev said, announcing the topic of the working meeting.

"The results of work over the year can already be assessed," he said.

"As of now, almost 440,000 individuals have signed contracts. This is the result of the work of all the regions," Medvedev said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a Defense Ministry board meeting on December 16 that 430,000 individuals had signed contracts for military service since the beginning of this year compared to 300,000 last year. Russia’s supreme commander-in-chief noted that the flow of those wishing to join the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces was not abating.