Reports from Russia suggest authorities are intensifying efforts to find new recruits for the war in Ukraine, with security forces allegedly carrying out street raids and targeting men with debts, criminal records and other vulnerabilities. The claims, reported by independent Russian outlet Agentstvo.Novosti, point to growing pressure on the Kremlin as it seeks to sustain troop numbers amid heavy battlefield losses and mounting recruitment challenges. From Debt Notices to the Front Line According to accounts cited in the report, men in Russia’s Penza region are being stopped on the streets, detained during vehicle checks and taken to military enlistment offices. One woman claimed her husband was confronted over a credit card debt of 76,000 roubles and presented with a stark choice: agree to military service or face prison. She alleged he signed a contract only after threats were made against his family. The allegations could not be independently verified, but they add to a growing body of claims that Russia is relying on increasingly coercive methods to bolster its ranks. Families Allege Violence and Intimidation Another woman said her husband was stopped while travelling between towns and taken to a police station before being transferred to a military recruitment office. She alleged he was beaten before signing enlistment papers and claimed officials even arranged a new passport for him during the process. Within days, she said, he had been transported through southern Russia and into occupied Ukrainian territory. The accounts paint a picture of recruitment efforts extending far beyond traditional military campaigns or financial incentives. Recruitment Struggles Force New Tactics Human rights activists cited in the reports say the alleged operations mark a significant shift. Earlier recruitment drives often focused on prisoners or men already in contact with law enforcement. Now, critics say, authorities are actively hunting for potential recruits. The claims come as reports indicate Russia is finding it harder to attract volunteers despite offering large signing bonuses, debt relief and other benefits. Kremlin Faces Growing Battlefield Demands Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned that Moscow is preparing fresh mobilisation efforts to replace losses and expand its military strength. If the allegations are accurate, they would underscore the growing strain facing Russia’s war machine more than three years into the conflict. As fighting continues across multiple fronts, the battle for manpower is becoming almost as critical as the battle on the ground. Russia launches street raids to catch men for future assault units, reports say
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