In a dramatic policy shift, major Russian companies—including state-backed giants—are revoking previously secure mobilization exemptions for their employees, leaving thousands exposed to conscription under Vladimir Putin’s military expansion.
Corporate Exodus from Deferments
Telecom powerhouse MTS and financial giant Sber have reportedly ceased guaranteeing mobilization deferrals for new hires, effectively funneling fresh recruits straight into the military’s grasp. In state-owned corporations like Rostec, exemptions are now limited to employees directly engaged in military-related projects. Meanwhile, oil and gas behemoths such as Rosneft are reportedly handpicking who, if anyone, can still avoid the draft. Insiders suggest that by spring 2025, major firms plan to reduce their remaining deferment allocations by 20–30%.
This shift follows last year’s government decree, which stipulates that all existing exemptions will expire on March 21, 2025. This measure tightens restrictions on those not yet conscripted, ensuring that the Kremlin can rapidly mobilize a significant fighting force should full-scale war become imminent.
End of the Road for Deferments
The timing of these policy changes coincides with new, more aggressive mobilization tactics. Military districts will now spearhead the draft effort, supported by DOSAAF—a once-voluntary paramilitary organization that now recruits boys as young as 14. Conscription will become a year-round process, further entrenching the cycle of forced military service for both young men and reservists.
Electronic summonses are also becoming the norm, not just for draftees but for those marked for mobilization. These individuals will be automatically added to a database that bars them from leaving the country. Failure to report to recruitment offices will carry heavy fines—and possibly worse consequences.
Even prisoners are now subject to military registration without medical examinations, and health standards for conscripts have been lowered, making it easier than ever for authorities to draft individuals, regardless of their physical condition.
A Looming Mobilization Nightmare
Military analysts estimate that Putin’s administration could draft an additional 300,000 to 400,000 Russians without significant difficulty, with some sources suggesting the number could rise to half a million. The Kremlin views this as a strategic asset—proof that Russia’s military machine remains robust.
Pro-war Russian bloggers argue that another round of mobilization is necessary to relieve exhausted troops. “The men already serving want others to share their burden—it’s only fair,” one commentator claims, dismissing the personal and social toll of prolonged conscription.
Critics highlight a deeper crisis: the Russian military is suffering from a severe shortage of officers and senior personnel. The government hopes to fill these ranks by drafting even more citizens, further stretching the nation’s workforce and destabilizing communities.
What’s Next? Putin’s Calculated Silence
Speculation is mounting over the Kremlin’s next steps. Some analysts believe a major mobilization push could depend on whether Donald Trump, if re-elected, negotiates a deal with Putin. If diplomatic efforts fail, Russia may escalate its military actions, potentially using the threat of tactical nuclear weapons to pressure the West.
One political analyst suggests that mobilization is just one facet of a broader “total war” strategy. If Western sanctions tighten further, the Kremlin may respond with intensified domestic crackdowns and an even greater push for military recruitment.
State Media Prepares Russians for More Conscription
While the Kremlin remains publicly silent on the issue, state-controlled media outlets—such as pro-war bloggers, Tsargrad TV, and Solovyov Live—are actively laying the groundwork for another wave of conscription. Their messaging suggests that further mobilization is not a matter of if, but when.
Military analysts point to May and late August as key periods when Putin may announce new conscription measures. As workplace exemptions disappear and military districts gain greater control, one thing is clear: Russia’s war machine is accelerating, and ordinary citizens are running out of options to escape the draft.
