Upper Lars crossing into Georgia Russian men are reportedly being blocked from leaving the country as speculation intensifies that Vladimir Putin could order another mass mobilisation for the war in Ukraine. The reports come as Ukrainian estimates put Russia’s total military casualties at almost 1.5 million since the full-scale invasion, with losses reportedly reaching as high as 1,600 personnel a day through deaths and injuries. Border bans trigger fresh mobilisation fears Dozens of Russian conscripts have reportedly been stopped at borders with Belarus and elsewhere, with human rights groups saying travel restrictions are appearing in official systems. One reported case involved a conscript who found no restriction in an electronic registry before a Moscow-Yerevan flight, only to be told at the border that he could not leave. Minutes later, the travel ban reportedly appeared in the registry. Reports cited by the Kyiv Post said 23 of 73 conscripts attempting to leave were blocked. Separately, anti-war group Idite Lesom said seven of 11 conscripts who contacted it after trying to cross through Belarus were stopped. Putin insists there will be no new call-up The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected claims that another mobilisation is imminent. Putin has said Russia has no need for one, insisting troops are continuing to enlist voluntarily through Defence Ministry contracts. “There is no scenario today that would require mobilisation,” Putin said, dismissing the warnings as an alleged Ukrainian disinformation campaign ahead of Russia’s State Duma elections. But speculation has continued to grow, with some reports suggesting a potential call-up could involve as many as 1.2 million people. Russia expands the machinery for new recruits Western intelligence assessments have also pointed to preparations to receive, train and equip additional personnel. Russia has expanded military training centres at universities, with their number reportedly rising from 114 in 2022 to 150 today. Meanwhile, traffic through the Upper Lars crossing into Georgia surged sharply in August, with more than 19,000 to 20,000 people reportedly crossing each day between August 15 and 18. The Kremlin denies preparing another mobilisation. But the tightening borders, expanding training infrastructure and growing exodus fears are fuelling speculation that Moscow is preparing for a fresh and potentially massive demand for manpower. Recruits banned from leaving Russia with fears of mass draft after Ukraine death toll soars
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