Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has responded to media reports on hidden mobilization in Russia. The reports refer to media reports that Russian universities are being instructed to encourage students to join the army, and that businesses are now involved in the military recruitment process, according to UNIAN.
“I am not aware of any such orders, I have not seen them, and I do not know whether this information is accurate,” Peskov told journalists when asked to comment on the news.
New troops and an “open offer” for everyone
Peskov emphasized that Russia is indeed forming new military units, which require the recruitment of specialists.
“This offer exists, it is, as they say, on the market, and it applies equally to everyone — workers, students, the employed, and the unemployed. So it is an entirely open offer for the new type of troops,” the Kremlin spokesperson stated.
Universities tasked with recruiting 2% of students
Earlier reports indicated that Russian universities are expected to ensure 2% of students join the army, due to the Kremlin’s difficulties in replenishing its forces.
Journalist Farida Rustamova in The Times reported that the directive was issued by the Minister of Education and Science, Valery Falkov, during a meeting with the rectors of Russia’s largest universities.
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According to her, if the order is fully implemented, the army would receive 44,000 new soldiers, or 76,000 if the directive is extended to colleges.
In addition, Russian companies have also become the center of covert recruitment for the army. Moscow has begun actively involving enterprises with more than 150 employees in the process of compiling candidate lists for contract military service.
In Ryazan Oblast, Governor Pavel Malkov signed an order requiring both private and state-owned companies to nominate employees.
Russia hopes to increase active troops to 1.5 million and total forces to 2.38 million. Despite financial incentives and recruitment campaigns, enlistment rates are falling, especially in major cities.
