Russian authorities plan “mobilization 2.0”

The Russian authorities are planning to start a mass recruitment to the army to strengthen the military group fighting with Ukraine and the possible encirclement of Kharkov. Four sources close to the presidential administration and the Ministry of Defense told “Võrstka” about this. According to them, 300 thousand people can be called up as part of a possible mobilization.

Interlocutors of “Vorstka” note that reservists can be forcibly conscripted into the army, forced conscripts to conclude a contract and go to war with Ukraine, as well as mobilize Russians who are in reserve.

In several military enlistment offices and state structures in Moscow, “Vörstke” confirmed that they are engaged in the preparation of armor for mobilization, and sources in the Ministry of Defense told about the preparatory meetings, as a result of which at least part of the reserve servicemen can be mobilized or forced to sign a contract to participate in the war.

The idea of ​​forcing the conclusion of a contract, according to the interlocutors of “Vyorstka”, is connected with the fact that the flow of those wishing to go to fight with Ukraine is drying up. Compared to the beginning of 2023, when, according to the head of the Ministry of Defense of Russia Sergei Shoigu, the army received about 400 thousand new soldiers, the pace of recruitment has decreased significantly. If earlier, 500–600 people a day came to the contract conclusion center with the Ministry of Defense, now 20–30 people come daily, say sources of the publication.

“Vyorstka” points out that its interlocutors call the preparation for the draft “mobilization 2.0”. One of the sources in the presidential administration, responding to a question about the possible encirclement of Kharkov, noted that there are no plans to make a “second Mariupol” out of the city.

There is no official confirmation of the messages of the “Verstka” interlocutors.

• Mobilization in Russia began in the fall of 2022 against the background of the failures of the Russian army. In total, 300 thousand people were sent to the army, according to official data. They cannot terminate their service until the end of the period of mobilization, which, according to the authorities’ reports, will not end until the end of the war with Ukraine.
• According to the latest data, almost six thousand mobilized people died in the war, whose names could be established from open sources. In reality, this figure may be higher.

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