An order from the Russian Defense Ministry took effect, tightening medical requirements for those signing military contracts. The ministry added several conditions to the updated list of diseases that disqualify individuals from enlisting during times of war, mobilization or martial law. The conditions include organic, acute psychotic, delusional and schizotypal disorders, as well as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental and behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities and mental and behavioral disorders caused by psychoactive substance use. Active-duty service members with conditions on the list will not be discharged from service.
In the first three months of 2026, 56 of the 89 regions listed in the Russian Constitution (including the occupied territories of Ukraine) reported budget deficits, according to a report by Russia's Accounts Chamber. A year earlier, 46 regions closed the first quarter with a deficit. In 2022, only six regions recorded such shortfalls. Thirty-five regions showed a high deficit (exceeding 10% of revenue), an increase of 12 from the previous year. Meanwhile, 34 regions recorded a surplus, down 10 from the previous year. Of those, 23 had surpluses of no more than 5 billion rubles [$68.98 million]. The combined surplus of the consolidated regional budgets totaled 140 billion rubles [$2 billion]. This figure represents a 2.4-fold decrease...
Vladimir Putin signed a decree increasing the authorized strength of the Russian Armed Forces to 2,399,130, including 1,510,000 military personnel. This is the second such expansion in recent months. In March 2026, Putin set the authorized strength at 2,391,770, of which 1,502,640 were military personnel. The latest decree mandates an increase of 7,360 military personnel.
The State Duma [lower house of Russia's Federal Assembly] passed a bill in its third reading that prohibits the deportation of foreigners who served under contract with the Ministry of Defense and participated in combat operations. The amendments prohibit denying them entry, declaring their stay undesirable, deporting them, reducing their permitted stay, or refusing to issue them work permits or temporary or permanent residence permits. The authorities also cannot cancel previously issued documents. The bill will apply retroactively, canceling similar decisions issued since Feb. 24, 2022, against combat veterans.
In the first quarter of 2026, 71,200 people signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense, according to federal budget expenditure data reviewed by Vazhnyye Istorii [IStories], an independent Russian investigative media outlet. Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of people enlisting fell by 20%—in the first quarter of 2025, 89,600 people received sign-up bonuses, compared to 73,300 in the same period of 2024. The federal budget data correlates with regional budget data previously reviewed by Janis Kluge, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. According to his calculations, around 70,500 people may have joined the Russian Armed Forces in the first three months of the year...
In the city of Novosibirsk, police officers detained a local resident twice within a week and attempted to pressure him into signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense. According to his wife, the first detention took place on June 3, when he opened a bottle of beer on the street while walking home. He was taken to a police station, where officials reportedly tried to persuade him to sign a military contract before transporting him to a military recruitment center and subjecting him to a medical evaluation. While the man was in custody, a local police officer tried to convince his wife to hand over her husband's passport, but she refused. The man was released the following evening without signing a contract. However, on the morning...
The Ukrainian Hochu Zhit [I Want to Live] project published a list of 1,059 students at Russian universities who, the project claims, signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense while still enrolled. According to the project, more than half are in their first or second year, and about 80% are ages 18 to 21. Most of those enlisting are students at regional universities, technical schools and colleges who have either just enrolled or are midway through their studies. The Astra Telegram channel verified the identities of 47 of them and spoke with two mothers whose sons are on the list; both confirmed information about their sons. Four other families indirectly confirmed certain details but declined to speak.
The Russian Society of Psychiatrists updated clinical guidelines on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among other things, the document sets recommended timelines for rotating personnel, aimed at preventing depletion of adaptive resources and lowering the risk of PTSD. In the group’s view, troops on the frontline should be relieved every six months, and every three months if possible. During sustained active combat, relief is needed after two weeks; after heavy losses, relief is needed after only a few days. Members also propose identifying signs of a complex disorder that differs sharply from ordinary "civilian" PTSD in service members. These include persistent disturbances in emotional regulation, negative self-perception, a sense...
Eleven of the 12 lawmakers withdrew their signatures from a bill that would have ended draftees’ right to suspend a conscription order while their case was pending in court. Lawyer Kaloy Akhilgov noted that the bill now lists only Yury Shvytkin as its author. He died shortly after submitting the bill. Amendments to the procedure for appealing draft board decisions were introduced in March. Under current law, if a person liable for military service appeals a draft board decision, the conscription order cannot be enforced while proceedings are pending. The lawmakers had proposed requiring a separate court ruling to suspend the order.
Private companies are now allowed to purchase large-caliber weapons and equipment to defend against drone attacks, RBC [Russian media group] reported, citing sources. Russian authorities approved a mechanism allowing businesses to acquire turrets, anti-aircraft artillery systems, radar equipment, motor vehicles and electronic warfare systems, among other items, to equip mobile fire teams. Most regions in the European part of Russia are now forming new teams. One RBC source said private companies will immediately transfer the weapons and equipment they buy to military units. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also compiled a catalog of passive protection equipment recommended for businesses, although private companies have long been...