'Beaten until they enlisted': Russia ramps up forced recruitment amid Ukraine losses

As Russia's military situation in Ukraine worsens, the nation is turning to forced recruitment to bolster its ranks. According to the Wall Street Journal, military recruiters and police in some regions are allegedly apprehending men and compelling them to sign contracts for service in Ukraine. Recruits have reported being threatened or beaten until they agreed to join the military, echoing the tactic used during Russia's partial mobilization in 2022.

In Penza, residents claim that police summoned a man under false pretenses, took him to a recruitment office, and physically assaulted him before allegedly detaining him for a medical examination. Videos circulating online show similar recruitment raids, with women reportedly crying as men waited inside a military van. It has been reported that some regional programs even offer monetary incentives for bringing potential recruits to military centers.

The growing pressure to recruit soldiers stems from Russia's need to replace its significant casualties in Ukraine, estimated at 30,000 to 40,000 killed and wounded per month. While US officials acknowledge that these recruitment efforts have added some soldiers to Russia's forces, they believe they have fallen short of delivering a major breakthrough.

The Kremlin is reportedly considering another round of mobilization after September's parliamentary elections, though Russian defense analyst Ruslan Pukhov warns that such a move could pose significant political risks for President Vladimir Putin.