Russia Reported to Force Citizens into Military Service Amid Ukraine War Personnel Crisis
Russia is reported to have begun taking harsh measures by forcing men of fighting age into military service. The move is intended to bolster the ranks of an army that is thinning amid stagnant voluntary recruitment and slowing Russian initiatives on the Ukrainian front line.
In small Russian towns, a number of military recruiters are reportedly detaining men in the streets, outside their places of work, or under the pretext of routine document checks. According to testimony from lawyers, human rights activists and eyewitnesses, once inside recruitment offices, these men are often threatened or beaten until they agree to sign contracts to fight.
This campaign of pressure has raised concerns about a new wave of mobilisation, similar to the partial mobilisation ordered by President Vladimir Putin in autumn 2022, when Russian front-line positions were faltering due to manpower shortages.
Although the Russian authorities are offering substantial cash rewards—often more than a year’s salary—recruitment has become increasingly difficult. This is due to widespread accounts of abuse within the Russian military as well as Ukraine’s growing ability to kill, which has shortened the life expectancy of soldiers on the front line.
“The authorities are turning to violent methods. They detain men and send them away,” said Artyom Klyga, a lawyer who assists citizens forced into military service.
Beyond physical violence, pressure is also being applied through regional programmes offering cash to third parties. In several regions such as Penza, Tatarstan, Amur and Yaroslavl, advertisements promise rewards of around 100,000 roubles (approximately Rp16.5 million) to anyone who brings a friend to a recruitment centre.
Blogger Stanislav Morozov, who documents the problem, revealed that many men ultimately sign contracts after officials threaten to frame them with drug cases if they refuse.
Military analysts estimate Russia’s front-line losses at 30,000 to 40,000 personnel (killed and wounded) each month. United States officials believe the coercive efforts may add to headcount, but are not yet sufficient to produce a major breakthrough.
Speculation about a second round of forced mobilisation continues to grow, particularly if Putin insists on seizing the entire Donbas region. However, such a step carries significant political risk. Some Russian citizens, such as reserve officer Dmitry Rogin, 53, have even said they would take up armed resistance if forced back to the battlefield.
To date, Russia’s Interior Ministry denies that there are raids to send people to the Special Military Operation zone, and has threatened legal action against anyone spreading protest videos related to the practice. (The Wall Street Journal/I-2)
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