Partial mobilization: real stories of people taking the agenda

On September 21, Vladimir Putin declared partial mobilization. In the subsequent statement of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, it was said that 300,000 reservists are subject to conscription (this means “about 1 percent of Russia’s mobilization resources”). The mobilization did not touch the students; enlisted men; with a registered certificate; employees at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex and others. Read about it in our material with comments from a lawyer.

In the first days after the announcement of the president, both men who served before and women who had medical education came to the fore. Of course, there was also the fake news. For example, channels appeared on Telegram, distributing information with lists of conscripts. At such moments, we would like to remind you once again of the information hygiene rules and recommend that you trust only reliable sources. Read how the call came about and whether people without combat experience can be sent to the epicenter of hostilities, read in a special The Fashion Vibes material.

Maxim, 25 years old

On the evening of September 21, I received a notification to the address I registered. I served in the army in 2020 but I have no combat experience. There was no desire to hide, so at the appointed time I came to the military registration and enlistment office with my belongings. They turned me down and said it was a mistake because I didn’t comply. When I asked if I could volunteer, they said they would contact me in a few days. I haven’t received any calls from them. I know these things happen a lot these days. They say that without combat experience there is nothing to do there.

Olga, 34 years old

I graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 2012. Since then I have been working as a dentist in a public hospital. On the morning of September 23, military commissars came to my house and warned that I had to appear at the military registration and enlistment office tomorrow. This came as no surprise to me – every doctor has a military ID. True, the military commissars assured me that there is no need to buy anything yet. Take documents, for example. I arrived at the appointed time the next day. It was a very quiet conversation like “Is there a chronic illness, child in need of care and parents”. I answered all questions in the negative. Then I was given a list of things to take with me. They got a receipt for not leaving me and let me go home. They said they would call when they had to come back, but something is up.

Fedor, 42 years old

I was in the Chechen war in 1995, so when the summons came it wasn’t a special surprise. I immediately came to the military branch with my belongings. From there I was already sent to combat exercises in the city of ***. They say we will stay here for about two months, then we will go further. We only have men in the barracks now, and for the most part they are my age. I saw only a few children here, and even then they managed to visit Syria and Crimea according to their age.

Natalya, 27 years old

I studied pharmacy, I work in a pharmacy. The agenda was given to me on my working day. To be honest, my first thought was fear. The next day, I was already undergoing a medical examination and it turned out that I was pregnant. I was immediately dropped home and wished me and the baby good health.

Daniel, 21

I am in the third year of university full time. Thus, when the call came to me, dead silence hung in the family. I’ve heard of such cases, and all of them can be objected to. The next day, my mother and I arrived at the conscription board (she really didn’t want to let me go alone). There I provided all the documents confirming the status of a student. They apologized to us and let us go home right away. I am not angry with anyone, I understand that in such situations everyone can make mistakes.