It appears that Russia is very cognizant of the growing problem in China. The “one child” law there has resulted in a ballooning population of males without female partners. I’m not sure at what point the 18-40 year old unnattached male population will reach critical mass, but I expect the Russians to be watching closely.
If that was the issue, Russia would not be reducing from 1.34 million to 1 million in the army.
They are scrapping the professional contract soldiers and going all draftee.
This is a doubling of the draft while cuting 25 percent of the total numbers. Including eliminating the senior enlisted (Warrant) ranks and most of the contracted personnel.
The draft rate for this fall indicates the only professionals being retained are the commissioned officers. So the Russian Army reverts to a smaller form of its old inefficient Red Army...