Russia has recruited 385,000 soldiers this year

The Russian armed forces have recruited 385,000 so far this year, according to officials.

Russia has not stated the number of soldiers it has lost during the 20-month offensive, but independent estimates put the number in the tens of thousands.

Moscow has embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive, offering huge salaries and social programs in a bid to recruit soldiers for its assault.

"The rate of recruitment of contract soldiers has increased significantly. More than 1,600 people sign a contract with the armed forces every day," former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the country's Security Council, said in a video posted on social media.

Amid manpower shortages, Russia last year called up more than 300,000 reservists in a controversial "partial mobilization" campaign.

Speculation about a new round of forced conscription remains rife as the conflict in eastern Ukraine approaches a winter stalemate and casualties continue to mount. / BGNES