>>520262858
It's an interesting question. As the economic situation worsens and deteriorates, should we see an increase or a decrease in SMO sign-ups? There are a few scenarios to consider.

The need for cash might be so great that becoming a kontractnik for a juicy 2M ruble payout might help you settle debts - so bad economy = more soldiers.
On the other hand, the economic situation might be so bad that governments cut their sign-up bonuses (already happening) and so becoming a kontractnik is less appealing and therefore - bad economy = fewer soldiers.
Then there's the inverse pro-zigger position where so many soldiers are signing up and regional governments could be exceeding their quotas set by the federal government that they're reducing sign-up payouts to save some cash.
And then there's the situation where it's the worst of all worlds. Fewer people are signing up to be kontractniks even despite a maintenance or increase in payouts in their oblasts so the only way to get manpower is to mobilise. Again.

FWIW Janis Kluge says recruitment is fairly steady at about 30k per month which rhymes with what Ukrainian assessment of Russian strength.