Russian officials admit to raids on men, threaten action over published videos
Penza military enlistment office in Russia confirms raids targeting military-age men (photo: Getty Images)
Military Commissar of Russia's Penza region, Andrei Surkov, has confirmed that street raids are being carried out to locate military-age men, but denied that they are linked to mobilization, according to the ASTRA Telegram channel.
What military commissar says
The outlet reports that Penza Region Military Commissar Surkov told local media that the raids are being conducted "on a permanent basis" to locate individuals evading conscription and military registration.
"There is nothing new here. I ask our people not to believe fake reports and to remain calm. Contracts are signed only with the consent of citizens," he said, as quoted by ASTRA.
Police issue warnings
The Penza Region Interior Ministry issued a warning to those documenting and reporting on the raids. According to the outlet, police described reports about the detention of men as "false" and warned that "individuals spreading inaccurate information will be held accountable."
In one of the channel's latest videos, women ask uniformed men standing near a minibus, "Why did you take a young man off the bus?" In response, the driver says the detainee allegedly "committed theft" and then drives away.
Penza residents established a Telegram channel to track the raids. "Here we collect and publish up-to-date information about people offering contracts for military service," the channel description says.
Reports of street roundups and forced mobilization in Russia continue to emerge regularly despite official denials from the Kremlin.
Residents of Russian cities have repeatedly complained about men being detained near subway stations, shopping centers, and public transport stops.
