The Kremlin's Calculated Risk: Mobilization by Stealth As Russia heads into its first parliamentary elections since the start of the 2022 full scale invasion, a sense of foreboding hangs over the country.
President Vladimir Putin's administration is quietly building the digital infrastructure to summon more troops to the war in Ukraine while closing off escape routes for those who might flee conscription.
Russia's military faces a dire manpower shortage due to high casualties and declining volunteer numbers.