The kremlin Is Testing Public Reaction: russians in the Regions Are Being Forced Under Torture to Sign Military Contracts

The kremlin is now frantically trying to figure out how to recruit fresh “cannon fodder” for its war of aggression against Ukraine without provoking a revolt. The authorities are afraid to announce an official mobilization because it would shock russians and spark a wave of protests. Therefore, russia has decided to test a “quiet” approach: conducting mass street roundups, forcibly drafting men into the army, and seeing whether society will “swallow” it.

The city of penza and penza region have now become the main testing ground for this experiment. The scheme operates in traditional russian style: burly young men wearing no identifying marks grab lone men near shopping centers or parks, beat them, and force them into cars so they’ll sign a contract with the ministry of defense.

For those who try to assert their rights or refuse to fight, the punishment is harsher – torture. Relatives of the detainees are alarmed: russians are being beaten and blackmailed at police stations and military commissariats. The scenario is well-rehearsed – either you sign the contract, or you’ll be taken to the front lines unconscious anyway, or they’ll plant drugs on you right now and sentence you to a very long prison term.

Of course, the kremlin is doing its best to keep this pressure from coming to light. Total censorship has been imposed on the ground: administrators of local public groups are deleting any comments and cries for help from shocked relatives.

The regime cracks down without hesitation on anyone who tries to break through this information blockade. Local opposition blogger stanislav morozov managed to film an investigation and edit a video featuring testimonies from mothers whose sons were tortured at military commissariats. The regime reacted immediately: administrative charges have already been filed against the blogger. Facing the threat of arrest and persecution by the investigative committee, morozov is now forced to flee russia urgently.