Run Or Hide: Russians Are Preparing For A New Mobilization

The Kremlin denies everything.

Russians are increasingly skeptical of the Kremlin’s assurances that there will be no new mobilization. Anxiety is growing in Russia over rumors of a new draft. Some men of draft age are already leaving the country, withdrawing money from their accounts, and trying to find ways in advance to avoid being sent to war, according to The New York Times.

Reports of a possible draft following the parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 18–20, are fueling the alarm. The Kremlin denies these rumors. Putin called them “complete nonsense” and an “information attack against Russia,” stating that there is currently no scenario that would require mobilization.

But Russians don’t put much stock in these words. In 2022, the Kremlin also denied preparations for an invasion of Ukraine and a new mobilization. As a result, after the draft was announced, hundreds of thousands of men rushed to leave the country.

Eraj, a 36-year-old entrepreneur, has already decided to leave for Cyprus for at least two months. To understand just how great the risk of a new draft is, he turned to artificial intelligence.

“Have the contract soldiers run out? They have. Have we captured anything? No. Have the negotiations led to anything? No. Will Putin dig in his heels? He will,” he explained.

Other Russians plan to spend the election period abroad. Some fear that the new electronic conscription system will make fleeing much more difficult. A draft notice could result in a travel ban, suspension of a driver’s license, and restrictions on real estate transactions.

At the same time, experts disagree on the necessity of a new mobilization. Some point to a shortage of troops on the front lines, while others believe that Russia is still able to compensate for its losses by recruiting contract soldiers.

“You don’t know what the authorities might do to restrict your movement and your attempts to protect your life and health,” said Ilya, a 26-year-old engineer.

For many Russians, the main question now is simply this: Will they have time to leave if the Kremlin does indeed decide to send people to war again?

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