"Why wait for a draft notice when you can take control of the situation? Sign a military contract voluntarily."
As rumors of an impending new wave of mobilization swirl inside Russia, one pro-war Telegram channel claimed to offer a solution: instead of waiting to be mobilized, sign a military contract now, while you can still "choose your own terms."
As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has stalled in its fifth year, questions are once again mounting over whether the Kremlin could resort to a politically costly mobilization to boost its manpower.
The Kremlin has denied any plans for a new draft campaign. President Vladimir Putin last called up 300,000 reservists in September 2022, marking Russia's first mobilization since World War II, triggering rare public protests and prompting tens of thousands of Russians to flee the country.
Since then, Moscow has relied on generous signing bonuses and salaries to recruit contract soldiers rather than announcing another nationwide draft.
