Russia Is Reportedly Pressuring Mobilized Soldiers to Sign Open-Ended Military Contracts

Russia’s military command is allegedly pressuring men mobilized in 2022 to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, UK intelligence reported, citing Russian independent outlet Verstka.

According to UK intelligence, while the contracts given to Russian soldiers have an official end date, they are reportedly indefinite in practice.

“Those who refuse to sign threatened with being sent into ‘meat grinder’ assaults with survival rates as low as 10-15% percent,” the intelligence wrote.

The report suggests that Russia’s push to force mobilized soldiers into indefinite contracts is likely driven, in part, by a shortage of experienced troops. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has sustained approximately 860,000 casualties, including killed and wounded.

Additionally, the report highlights that Russian authorities are attempting to reduce the need for further mobilization, which remains deeply unpopular within the country.

On February 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is increasing its military force by more than 100,000 troops, indicating ongoing preparations for extended military operations.