Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
He promises that none of the new conscripts will be sent to Ukraine or to the Russian-controlled areas.
Russian authorities are preparing to draft roughly 120,000 young men into compulsory service between October and December.
According to statements from Russian military sources, cited by the Russian newspaper Krasnaja Zvezda, which is writing for the Russian armed forces, conscripts will start leaving assembly points on October 10.
Col. Gen. Yevgeny Burdinsky told the newspaper that no new recruits will serve in combat zones, including the Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia.
Still, families across the country remain deeply cautious.
Lessons from history
The Kyiv Independent notes that back in March 2022, President Vladimir Putin publicly guaranteed that young conscripts would never join the frontline effort.
Just days later, the Defense Ministry admitted that drafted men had already entered combat areas, with several falling into enemy hands.
The Kremlin quickly claimed that officials had violated direct presidential orders. Prosecutors opened investigations, but the damage to public trust was already done.
Danger caught up with recruits again during Ukraine’s surprise cross-border raid into Kursk in 2024. Troops stationed safely inside Russian borders found themselves surrounded, resulting in more captured conscripts.
Human rights groups point to another persistent worry for young recruits. Officers frequently pressure incoming draftees into signing professional military contracts, which instantly strips away their non-combat protections.
Mobilization fears
During the summer, Ukraine and international observers have warned that Putin might use the Duma elections, which took place a couple of weeks ago, to frame it as Russian support for the war in Ukraine and start a new mobilization wave.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any plans for a new mobilization, but Putin said last week that the turnout for the election showed that “the people of Russia support our efforts aimed at strengthening the country.”
Smaller call-up numbers
Despite the ongoing tension, this seasonal draft remains smaller than previous intake cycles. The government called up 135,000 men in autumn 2025, while spring 2026 saw over 141,000 recruits enter the ranks.
Under a decree signed by Putin, Russia set its overall target at 261,000 conscripts for the entire year.
Officials also overhauled the draft process on January 1, moving to a continuous year-round administrative system. Even with constant background processing, physical recruits still head off to their military units in traditional spring and autumn windows.
Losses mounting in Ukraine
The Kremlin does not disclose loss figures, but according to estimates from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia has lost nearly 1.54 million personnel during the war so far with more than 1,500 casualties in the past 24 hours alone.
According to the Ukrainian numbers, September saw a 46% increase in Russian personnel losses compared to January of 2026 with more than 46,000 casualties.
The previous highs were July at nearly 43,000 and August at 42,000.
