The Russian government has introduced tighter restrictions on men of conscription age, signaling preparations for a significant military mobilization amid ongoing losses in the war in Ukraine, according to a leaked document. Men aged 18 to 30 are now required to register with local military enlistment offices, with authorities imposing new limits that restrict their ability to engage in various civil activities unless they comply.
The measures, outlined in a letter dated September 15 and circulated by Russia’s federal board of notaries to regional notary offices, mandate that potential conscripts must present their draft documentation before they can apply for mortgages, conduct property transactions, or register as business owners. These steps effectively restrict individuals who avoid registration or service from participating fully in public and economic life.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, President Vladimir Putin has expanded conscription efforts and tightened laws aimed at preventing draft evasion, such as asset sales and emigration. The move comes as the Kremlin faces mounting military casualties, with estimates suggesting more than 46,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or severely wounded this year alone. Total casualties since the start of the conflict have reportedly surpassed 1.5 million.
Historically, Russia conducts biannual conscription campaigns bringing in roughly 100,000 new soldiers each cycle. However, officials have announced plans to increase recruitment to approximately 120,000 this autumn amid dwindling troop numbers.
The letter, signed by Konstantin Korsik, vice-president of the federal board of notaries—an organization overseen by the Ministry of Justice—cites Article 22 of Russia’s Law on Military Duty. It states that all male citizens who are registered or required to register for military service and are not currently in the reserve are subject to conscription.
Experts interpret these developments as an indication of growing desperation within the Russian government to replenish its forces. Sergei Guliaev, a retired lieutenant-colonel and former member of the Russian parliament in exile, described the restrictions as tools to prevent young men from leaving the country and to compel them to enlist.
President Putin has largely avoided a full-scale mass mobilization, reportedly due to concerns over public backlash, particularly among urban and middle-class populations. However, analysts suggest that his recent political consolidation—marked by his party securing 349 out of 450 seats in the State Duma during last month’s federal elections—may encourage a firmer stance on recruitment policies going forward.