A second wave of mobilization seems to have begun in Russia. More and more reservists are being called up to fight in the so-called special military operation, as it should still be called. In some Russian regions, such as Rostov and Kursk, governors say they have been given new targets for the mobilization campaign. "The region has started the second phase," Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted the governor of Kursk as saying. It has been in the air here for weeks that the "partial" mobilization will take place in three phases. The independent television channel Dozhd, among others, published audio recordings from military recruitment offices that would show that a second wave began on Oct. 10 and a third is coming in November. Kremlin spokesman Peskov refuted this. According to him, there is no such thing as "waves of mobilization," and "he has no idea what the regional governors are talking about.
Yet mobilization does seem to be happening on a larger scale, including in major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. This week, for example, there were raids on several mini-hotels and hostels in Moscow. Dozens of people were taken straight from dorm rooms to "mobilization offices" set up in theaters and cinemas, Radio Free Liberty writes. The boys, some of whom said they had no military experience, were given the call-up letter and a uniform in their hands and were required to report to their local registration office the next day. Many conscripts just decided to rent a room in a hostel to avoid military service. The idea is that they will then not be at their registration address to be picked up. Meanwhile, homeless people in Moscow are also being mobilized to join the fight. Subpoenas have been handed out at several shelters in the city, the independent iStories writes. Checks are also reportedly being carried out at metro stations in Moscow this week, where men on the street are being asked about their documents and military experience. And in St. Petersburg, doctors are "strongly advised" not to travel abroad for the time being. Medical personnel may also be sent to the front, according to the mobilization decree.
Since the beginning of the "partial mobilization," at least 14 reservists have died even before reaching the front. They died at Defense Ministry training centers. Authorities are very reluctant to comment on the incidents, putting the blame on the victims. Most are said to have died from a medical cause, such as thrombosis or a heart attack in their sleep. Some are also said to have committed suicide. Family members write on social media that they do not believe this. They cite poor conditions (cold, sleeping outside, home-brewed vodka) and violent riots as the cause of death. Also, this week, regional media published the first reports of newly mobilized reservists who died on the front lines. The first is human rights activist Pavel Chikov. He was reportedly killed in the Lugansk region. Today, media in the Urals write about the deaths of five mobilized reservists from Chelyabinsk. "We express our sincere and deep condolences. We will provide all necessary assistance to the families and friends of our fallen soldiers," local authorities said.
In recent weeks, there has been much open criticism of the chaotic mobilization in Russia. The army leadership has been accused of sending untrained men to the front, and there has been much outrage over the poor conditions for reservists. For example, their shelters are often filthy, they suffer from cold and boredom. There are also complaints about substandard medical facilities and the poor condition of the weapons they receive, such as rusty kalashnikovs. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have fled the mobilization. Kremlin spokesman Peskov responded to the civil unrest yesterday. He admitted that many Russians "noticed the mistakes made during the partial mobilization" and stressed that "measures are being taken to put the system in order."
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