Raids conducted in several Russian cities against men not registered for military service

According to reports cited by Radio Liberty, the raids took place in the cities of Penza, Kamenka, and Kuznetsk.

It is alleged that men were pressured to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense for deployment to the war against Ukraine.

One witness said that several buses were stationed in central Penza, with traffic police, masked officers, and military enlistment personnel present. According to him, the authorities were primarily targeting men who had previously received draft notices but failed to report to military offices.

A Penza resident claimed that authorities stopped vehicles and public transport throughout the city and detained men indiscriminately, allegedly transporting them to locations where they were encouraged to sign military contracts.

Another resident said that efforts to "round up men" had begun as early as January but that the raids had intensified recently.

The regional branch of the Russian National Guard stated on June 18 that it had conducted an interagency operation. Officials reported checking 80 drivers and identifying nine citizens who had failed to register for military service. Investigators from the Penza Garrison Investigative Committee reportedly served official summonses to all nine individuals.

Authorities indicated that similar operations would be conducted regularly throughout the region.

According to earlier reports, Russia is finding it increasingly difficult to recruit new personnel for the war against Ukraine despite offering large financial incentives and debt-relief programs.