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Russian Authorities Use Coercive Tactics and Physical Violence to Force Men into Military Service

Russian authorities are increasingly employing coercive tactics, including physical violence and threats of arrest, to fill military ranks as voluntary recruitment for the war against Ukraine slows. In regions such as Penza, recruiters and police officers are allegedly detaining men on the streets or during routine document checks, then transporting them to recruitment centers where they are allegedly beaten or pressured into signing contracts. This shift toward a more aggressive method of violence is occurring as Russia faces mounting battlefield casualties, with estimates suggesting 30,000 to 40,000 troops are killed or wounded each month. While the Kremlin has offered lucrative financial incentives, such as referral payments of up to 100,000 rubles, the heavy losses and reports of abuse within the ranks have made potential recruits more reluctant. U.S. officials believe the Kremlin is still weighing another formal mobilization. However, some Russian citizens are beginning to show signs of resistance, with some reserve officers expressing a willingness to shoot those who forced them into service.

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