Moscow finds way to force mobilized men to fight - British intelligence
Photo: Mobilized men are forced to sign contracts under the threat of being sent into 'meat grinder' (Getty Images)
Russian military commanders are forcing men mobilized in 2022 to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense. Otherwise, their chances of survival rates as low as 10%, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.
Although the contracts signed with Russian soldiers have formal end dates, they, according to independent Russian media outlet Verstka, can be indefinite. Those who refuse to sign are threatened with being sent into "meat grinder" assaults with survival rates as low as 10-15%.
According to British intelligence, Russia's efforts to force mobilized soldiers to sign indefinite contracts are likely partly motivated by a shortage of experienced soldiers, as since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has lost around 860,000 killed and wounded. This has seriously reduced the number of Russian personnel with even basic training.
"Russia's leadership also almost certainly perceives such measures as reducing the potential requirement for further domestically unpopular mobilizations. After Putin's announcement of the partial mobilization in 2022, hundreds of thousands of young and educated Russians chose to leave the country rather than participate in the illegal Russian invasion. This has substantially contributed to long-term difficulties for Russia's labor market," British intelligence states.
According to independent Levada Center data, the level of support for the war among residents of Russia has not changed since February 2022. In January 2025, 78% approved of the invasion, while 15% of those surveyed said they did not support the war. The majority of respondents believe that military actions will end in a Russian victory - 76%.
At the same time, in January 2025, the highest share of respondents was recorded, who believe that peace talks should begin now - 61%.
