Vladimir Putin is not ready to announce a new mobilization in Russia, writes the British The Guardian. Two sources of the newspaper in Moscow, familiar with the discussions on this issue, reported that the leadership of the Russian Federation still insists on establishing full control over the territories in eastern Ukraine, despite the growing shortage of personnel and increasing casualties at the front. At the same time, Putin does not intend to announce a new mobilization call. A similar assessment was given to the newspaper by an unnamed senior representative of Western countries. Instead of expanding mobilization, the Kremlin currently prefers to increase the number of contract servicemen with the Russian Ministry of Defense rather than conduct a new mobilization, sources told the newspaper. This approach allows avoiding political risks associated with compulsory conscription, Deutsche Welle reports. At the same time, media and social networks often publish reports from Russians stating that conscripts in the army are being forced to sign contracts under threats and in torturous conditions. Earlier, the British Financial Times, citing a source, reported that the Kremlin and the Russian Ministry of Defense demanded that regional authorities ensure the recruitment of contract servicemen in accordance with the plan for 2026. It provides for the enlistment of 409,000 people into the army.
