Russian citizens have reported a significant increase in the issuance of mobilization orders, fueling concerns about a possible new wave of military drafts in the country. The reports, which have intensified in recent months, emerge amid a scenario of rumors and pressure. Documents are delivered both to enlistment offices and through digital platforms, such as State Services, creating uncertainty.
The phenomenon fuels speculation that the government is preparing the ground for a large-scale mobilization in the near future. Although some citizens report the imposition of restrictions, such as a ban on traveling abroad or difficulties at the State Department of Transit (Detran) after receiving subpoenas, an expert points out that many of these orders may not have legal force in practice. The current situation is complex and continues to generate apprehension among the population, especially among men of active military service age.
Reports of summons and mobilization orders on the networks
Several Russians have shared their experiences on social media, detailing receiving mobilization orders and the immediate consequences. One of the reports on Instagram describes the surprise of receiving a “letter of happiness”, which included a series of restrictions for not showing up on the scheduled date, including a ban on traveling abroad. He mentioned that some of these restrictions would already be in place.
Another citizen reported receiving a text message summoning him to the military enlistment office. He showed up before the scheduled date and was served with a mobilization order, implying that he would have to report to a meeting point if mobilization was declared. In the comments on these publications, other people, including wives of summoned men, detail similar situations:
- Subpoenas to access the State Services website, where they found mobilization orders despite having reserves in the companies.
- Husbands with their driver’s license suspended by Detran, which required military enlistment before renewal.
- Mobilization orders “pasted” on military identity cards, even for those who only have a category “B” license.
These videos and reports on social media have fueled intense rumors about a possible new wave of mobilization in Russia, expanding the reach of discussions beyond digital platforms.
Deputy statements and the hacking controversy
The growing concern was reinforced by a post on the Telegram channel by Russian State Duma deputy Andrei Gurulev. In the week before reports of intense mobilization, the message stated that “the winter-spring campaign did not produce the results we had all hoped for”, with the progress of military operations stalling into early summer. The publication added that “behind the scenes and at high levels, there is active talk about the need for a new large-scale mobilization.” According to internal sources cited in the post, “a fundamental decision on the matter has already been taken and will be implemented in the fall.”
However, the day after publication, Gurulev used his Max Messenger channel to claim that his Telegram channel had been hacked. He stated that access had not yet been restored and that the texts circulating were “distributed by enemies”. The controversy surrounding the statement and its subsequent denial only intensified speculation and confusion about the Russian government’s true plans regarding mobilization.
Expert explains lack of legal force of orders in practice
To understand the real situation and legal validity of these orders, Ivan Chuvilyaev, press officer of the “Go to the Forest” project, participated in the Current Time program. He categorically stated that these orders “have no legal force”, demystifying the panic generated.
The expert explained that the pink documents that are being distributed in large quantities function more like a “powerful psychological weapon”. They aim to cause panic and confusion by pressuring individuals to sign military contracts. According to Chuvilyaev, the logic behind this tactic is to trick people into thinking that by signing a contract they will be “safe” in the event of a future mobilization.
He emphasized that the distribution of these roles is not a reliable indicator of an imminent mobilization. “There is no indication. This, obviously, is not an indicator at all, it is not related in any way to the possibility or impossibility of mobilization. This is a kind of divination by reading tea leaves, a practice that has been going on for four years,” Chuvilyaev declared. He further noted that the trend of receiving these “stickers” has been noticed since mid-April and that the origin of many of these news stories on Instagram is “a little suspicious”, lacking credibility in some cases.
Regarding the travel ban, Chuvilyaev clarified that if it is a subpoena to clarify information or for a medical examination, the ban on leaving the country is not automatic. He cited statistics that show that for every person stopped at the border, ten or more manage to leave the country, even with summonses published on the Gosuslugi website. This suggests that the electronic military registration system may not be working properly or that it does not trigger an automatic ban.
Pressure for contracts and failures of the unified military registry
Ivan Chuvilyaev harshly criticized the “Unified Register of Persons Subject to Military Service”, classifying it as an “absolute digital Reich” which, despite its brutality, was made by “hands sprouting from the same place”. According to him, the system is “full of holes, clumsy, crooked, disproportionate” and was developed by people who have already demonstrated incompetence.
The expert claimed that the registry is, at its core, a “completely corrupt scheme” whose sole purpose is money laundering. This intrinsic flaw results in an ineffective system. If the registry worked, a “critical mass of all types of bans” on travel would be expected, not just a few dozen cases per year, as has been observed. The discrepancy between subpoenas and effective prohibitions reinforces the perception of a dysfunctional system.
Manipulation of students and debtors in the search for new military personnel
Against the background of rumors about a new wave of mobilization, Chuvilyaev described the situation of people seeking help. He highlighted that the current campaign is strongly linked to the manipulation of students. There is a “very active” campaign at universities to encourage the signing of contracts, with a particular focus on contracts to operate drones. He lamented that the authorities are still unable to abandon this strategy, which has persisted for several months, even in the face of resistance from students.
The press officer described this tactic as a “multi-layered lie” that promises that “everything will be fine” for those who sign the contracts. This psychological pressure is intense and has become more aggressive, to the point that “they are even pressuring girls to sign contracts.” At the same time, there are no alternatives for debtors, people in difficult financial situations, or those who have lost their jobs, who often find themselves compelled to sign contracts in pre-trial detention centers and penal colonies. The situation demonstrates a massive propaganda campaign and psychological pressure on young people to secure new memberships.