This year, the Military Commissariat of Ingushetia, Aram Akopyan, identified 239 people wishing to begin studying at military academies. Akopyan announced during a meeting of Ingushetia’s government that this is 72 more than last year.

‘We created a plan for the selection of 194 candidates for full military special training and 45 candidates for intermediate military special training. Last year, 167 places were allocated for the region’, Akopyan said.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of young people in the North Caucasus who wish to serve in the army or acquire a military profession. In Daghestan, many school graduates are forced to pay large bribes in order to enter the army. According to local observers, this phenomenon is connected to high levels of unemployment.

Ingush human rights activist Rashid, who did not wish to use his surname, told OC Media that the authorities purposefully created such conditions for young people so that their only chance to earn a living is by joining the military.

‘I think that this situation was created deliberately. There is a stereotype that Caucasians are only good at going to war and executing orders. This is what is being emphasised in all [North Caucasian] republics. Here in Ingushetia we have for the third time a general as president. When will they appoint an economist or a doctor as president?’ Rashid said.

The government of Ingushetia is satisfied with the growth in the number of people wishing to join the military. Deputy Prime Minister Zaudin Dourbekov noted during a governmental meeting that more effort was needed to promote careers in the military.

‘It’s necessary to intensify promotional work. Our boys should not miss the opportunity to prove themselves in the military. Perhaps, some of them will be added to the list of heroes and outstanding generals’, Dourbekov said.