Russian President Vladimir Putin is making arrangements for a widespread mobilization effort in the country, aiming to enlist individuals with criminal backgrounds such as drug traffickers, murderers, and members of organized crime syndicates to join the frontlines. Additionally, he seeks to enhance the capabilities of the internal security service in response to escalating concerns of potential civil unrest stemming from economic challenges, fuel shortages, and dissatisfaction over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Reports indicate that Putin has directed internal security authorities to be prepared to enforce martial law nationwide to suppress any outbreaks of violence or looting as the economy deteriorates.
This strategic shift within the Moscow security and military structures comes after successive nights of significant Ukrainian strikes penetrating deep into Russian territory. These incursions, carried out using drones and missiles, have disrupted vital oil and gas supply chains, underscoring the vulnerability of Russian civilians to the conflict.
Recent drone attacks targeted prominent retail delivery outlets in Russia, resembling the “Amazon-like” Wildberries, resulting in substantial financial losses for numerous business owners allegedly linked to the production of lethal drone components used in the Ukrainian war.
In a continuation of the assaults, Ukraine launched further long-range drone strikes on Russian soil, specifically targeting oil facilities and pipelines, with a Wildberries logistical hub reportedly hit once again.
The Institute for the Study of War based in the United States has highlighted the Kremlin’s actions as precursors to potential mobilization efforts and readiness to address possible internal unrest, as evidenced by recent legislative measures allowing individuals with criminal records to engage in military service during mobilization periods.
This initiative is expected to significantly widen the pool of eligible recruits for military service, addressing the pressing need for manpower amid recruitment challenges.
Despite the recruitment drive, data suggests that a considerable portion of new recruits in the Russian military struggle to endure frontline combat for more than half an hour, resulting in substantial casualties exceeding 1.4 million due to death or injury in Moscow.
Analysts indicate that Putin is carefully laying the groundwork for formal mobilization and potential imposition of martial law in anticipation of public resistance, as mobilization remains unpopular among Russian citizens.
The relentless drone attacks by Ukraine have inflicted severe damage on Wildberries, compelling the company’s owners to compensate tens of thousands of affected sellers. Furthermore, assaults on Russia’s energy infrastructure have severely impeded Putin’s capacity to sustain the conflict in Ukraine, with Ukraine also disrupting nearly 200 vessels from Putin’s “shadow fleet” designed to evade international sanctions amid the full-scale invasion.