Based on economist Janis Kluge’s analysis of regional budget data, Russia recruited nearly 100,000 people for the war in the third quarter of 2025, averaging about 33,000 new contracts per month. This figure slightly exceeds the totals from the first and second quarters, when between 90,000 and 95,000 individuals enlisted. Kluge's method extrapolates recruitment figures from expenditure data on sign-up bonuses across 37 Russian regions. He previously noted that the average cost of recruiting a contract soldier grew from 1.5 million rubles [$19,000] in January 2025 to approximately 2 million rubles [$25,400], and is projected to reach 2.5 million rubles [$31,700] by the end of the year.
Russians enrolled in the mobilization reserve could take part in peacetime missions, including those abroad, without a formal declaration of mobilization. The government’s legislative commission approved a Ministry of Defense bill to amend the Military Conscription and Military Service Act. It would allow reservists to be sent to "perform specific defense tasks" during armed conflicts, counter-terrorism operations, or when the armed forces are used abroad. A new provision would allow authorities to summon them to special training sessions. The President would order the gatherings, the duration of which would not exceed two months. These changes would only affect citizens who have signed contracts to be in the active reserve and would...
In the Leningrad region, payments for signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense have been increased from 1.7 million rubles [$20,900] to 2.0 million rubles [$24,600]. Those departing for the war from the region will also receive a land certificate, which grants the right to a land plot or a monetary compensation upon completion of service, currently amounting to 419,600 rubles [$5,160]. An additional 400,000 rubles [$4,920] is paid by the national government.
According to human rights defenders, at least 19 Russian regions—mainly in Central Russia and the Volga region, but also in the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East—have adopted digital draft notices. Legal experts believe the system may be operational in most of or even all of Russia's regions, but they currently lack confirmation from some federal subjects. Human rights defenders have recorded instances of men receiving a digital draft notice not just for conscription but also for military training or for a data check-up. In practice, however, when men report for a data checkup, authorities sometimes attempt to draft them into service.
Individuals applying for Russian citizenship may soon be required to submit a physical copy of their criminal record from their country of origin, along with their other documents. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has published a draft decree that would amend the regulation on the citizenship application procedure to include this requirement. The proposal, however, would exempt Ukrainian citizens and individuals serving under contract in the Russian Armed Forces or other military formations.
In Russia’s constituent Republic of Bashkortostan, parents of conscripts have complained that military unit commanders are coercing their sons into signing contracts with the Ministry of Defense. They appealed to Alfit Nigamatyanov, a member of the republic’s State Assembly from United Russia [Putin’s ruling party]. According to the relatives, commanders promised the conscripts 'privileges and high monetary allowances.' Upon refusal, however, the young men faced pressure, including restricted communication with family, reduced food rations, and psychological harassment from senior soldiers ordered by the unit's colonel. After Nigamatyanov petitioned the Investigative Committee, authorities transferred the officer to a new duty station...
A bill introduced in the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly] could expand the rights of adult children to receive a one-time payment of 5.16 million rubles [$63,100] following a parent’s death during military service. Currently, the law entitles the deceased's spouse, parents, grandparents who served as guardians for at least three years, minor children, children with disabilities and students up to 23 years old to receive the payment. The legislation proposes that in the absence of these family members, adult children would become eligible for the benefit. They do not currently possess this right, an exclusion that has often led to payment denials even though they are the nearest relatives.
On Sept. 29, the federal government submitted its proposal for next year’s budget to the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly]. The document details budgetary plans for 2026 and provides an outlook for 2027 and 2028. Compared to the announcement a week earlier, several items stand out:
Fines for failing to report a change of address to a draft office may soon apply year-round. Several members of the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly], led by its Defense Committee Chairman Andrey Kartapolov, have introduced a bill to remove the phrase "during the conscription period" from Article 21.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Titled "failure by citizens to fulfill their military registration duties," the article currently specifies a fine ranging from 500 to 3,000 rubles [$5-$36]. Authorities previously enforced it only during the spring and fall draft campaigns. However, the State Duma approved a bill in the first reading last week to transition to year-round conscription activities.
In a first reading, the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly] approved a bill that would authorize year-round conscription activities. The Duma's Defense Committee had previously endorsed the measure. According to the proposed legislation, draft offices would gain the authority to summon conscripts, conduct medical evaluations, and review necessary documents at any time during the year. Meanwhile, deployment of recruits to their duty stations would remain confined to the established biannual periods, from April 1 to July 15 and from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. The Voyennye Advokaty [The Military Lawyers] Telegram channel published a detailed review of the bill.