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The landscape of the Russian army has transformed dramatically since the initiation of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in. In the months that followed, a partial mobilization was instituted, recruiting up to 300,000 additional soldiers. However, by late October of that year, the Russian Defense Ministry declared an end to the conscription of reserve citizens, suggesting a return to normal operations. Yet, just three years later, the federal government enacted new legislation permitting the mobilization of reservists for the protection of critical infrastructure during specialized drills, highlighting the continuous demand for personnel within the armed forces.
Brutal tactics against deserters’ families
A recent investigation by the organization People of Baikal has unveiled disturbing methods employed by the Russian military to compensate for personnel shortages. Specifically, these tactics include the torture of family members and friends of deserters. Journalists reporting from the Transbaikal region gathered harrowing accounts from victims and their families, shedding light on the military’s oppressive actions.
Case study: Pavel’s abduction
One poignant example is the story of Olga Vtorushina, whose son Pavel was kidnapped on November 2, 2025. Armed and masked assailants seized him, transporting him away from the town for interrogation. They subjected Pavel to severe torture using a stun gun, coercing him to disclose the whereabouts of his cousin Pyotr, who had failed to return to his unit. Despite the assailants’ camouflage uniforms, Olga recognized one of them as a member of the local military police, illuminating the intersection of law enforcement and military intimidation. After enduring repeated electric shocks and physical abuse, Pavel was ultimately released only after he managed to contact Pyotr and lure him into a trap.
Deserters’ experiences in the military
Pyotr’s own ordeal is notable; he had previously been captured while serving in Ukraine, only to be released in a prisoner exchange. Shockingly, upon his return to Russia, he learned that he was expected to rejoin the fight, despite the trauma he had endured. This cycle of violence and coercion not only impacts the soldiers but also wreaks havoc on their families.
The case of Viktor
Another harrowing instance involves Viktor, a 36-year-old man who was forcibly taken from a friend’s home on August 19, 2025. Military police officers tracked him down, brutally tasing him, breaking his nose, and forcibly placing him in the trunk of a vehicle for a 300-mile journey. Viktor had failed to report back to his unit due to a family emergency—his wife was about to give birth to their third child. His mother later reported that the same individuals responsible for Viktor’s abduction were also implicated in the torture of Pavel.
Wider implications of military raids
Reports of similar incidents have surfaced across various towns in the Transbaikal region, indicating a systematic approach to targeting deserters and their families. In Ushmun, for instance, masked individuals have been seen patrolling the streets, identified by local newspapers as military police. Authorities in Trubachevo and Novoshirokinsky have confirmed that residents are being subjected to coercive measures as part of these military operations.
The implications of such tactics are profound. Families are caught in a web of fear and repression, as the military employs intimidation as a means to prevent further desertions. This creates a climate of anxiety where the loyalty of soldiers is enforced through the suffering of their loved ones, raising serious ethical concerns about the lengths to which the Russian military will go to maintain its ranks.