Students and debtors in Russia added to lists for war, intelligence says
Students and utility debtors added to lists for front in Russia (photo: Getty Images)
In Russia, problems with willing fighters are growing, so authorities have begun forming lists of so-called volunteers from debtors and students, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine reports.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, in February 2026, regional and municipal Russian authorities received instructions to form lists for deployment to the war. First of all, they include individuals with debts for housing and communal services.
As noted, if the debtor is a woman, her husband or adult relatives — sons, brothers, or even fathers — may be included in the lists.
These lists are planned to be used as a tool of pressure to force people to sign "voluntary" contracts. As a "reward," they are offered write-offs of utility debts.
"In the event of mobilization, these people are identified as priorities for receiving draft notices," the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine explained.
In addition, according to intelligence, Russian Minister of Higher Education Valery Falkov instructed to prepare at least 2% of students to sign contracts.
Students are offered to take academic leave and sign a contract for at least one year. Priority is given to those who have academic debts.
During recruitment, they are promised the possibility of returning to studies after service, financial payments, benefits, and other bonuses.
Among these are transfer to state-funded education or financial support from the educational institution.
In some cases, administrations may ignore students' academic problems or offer individual study conditions to those who agree to sign a contract.
Russia's losses and hidden mobilization
Losses of Russia in the war against Ukraine continue to grow. Recently, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi presented updated data on the situation on the front for March.
As the Institute for the Study of War notes, amid significant losses and declining recruitment rates, Russian authorities are turning to hidden mobilization of the population.
At the same time, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Brigadier General Pavlo Palisa, said in an interview that hidden mobilization in Russia has been ongoing almost continuously since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
