A new wave of forced recruitment into the Russian army has begun, targeting those considered easiest to intimidate and pressure, according to the partisan movement Atesh. In a report published on Telegram, Atesh said Moscow has issued strict directives to regional authorities to increase contract soldier recruitment. Regions failing to meet quotas have reportedly intensified the work of military registration offices and security forces.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. According to the partisans, men with large debts listed in bailiff databases, as well as former prisoners under administrative supervision, have become primary targets. Atesh claims such individuals are being detained en masse and pressured into signing contracts with the Russian Armed Forces. According to the group, authorities use threats of new criminal cases and other forms of coercion to force compliance. The movement links this intensified campaign to heavy Russian losses on the battlefield and growing personnel shortages. According to Atesh, the current pace of contract recruitment is no longer enough to offset losses sustained by Russian forces. “If they try to drag you into the army in this way – do not sign anything under threats and leave the country at the first opportunity,” the group said. Prior mobilization efforts These claims align with earlier reporting by Russian media on forced mobilization in the Penza region. More than three weeks earlier, Penza outlet Novaya Alternativa reported the kidnapping of Sursk resident Vladimir Podkovyrkin, the torture of Penza resident Stanislav Vyaltsyn, and other cases involving locals allegedly forced to fight in the war against Ukraine.