The number of soldiers assigned to the front lines varies significantly by region in Russia and Ukraine. This report comes from republics far from major cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg. A Yakut man, who wishes to remain unnamed, describes a village where only about 300 men exist and notes recruitment numbers like 60, 50, or 47 from nearby towns. In these areas, where central heating and running water are scarce, the male population is crucial, and the frigid Siberian tundra can plunge to minus 55 degrees Celsius in the coldest winters. When winter grips the landscape, these men are often tasked with the most demanding jobs, like hunting and fishing.
The same individual explains that he expects his fifth child. He hints at being recruited for service, while in Chechnya some have served for years in special forces. A person there says she was told she would go regardless of how many children she has. Those involved were sent first to Khavarovsk, an important city in the Russian Far East, and then to various destinations around the world for short periods of duty.
In another part of Siberia, specifically in Ust-Ilimsk in Irkutsk, a 25-year-old man opened fire on a recruiter on a Sunday after feigning voluntary enlistment. He entered the office, shouted for everyone to go home, and then assaulted a soldier. The motive likely stemmed from the belief that his best friend, who had no prior service, was unfairly treated. Ruslan Zinin is charged with illegal possession of firearms and assaulting an officer, and the injured officer remains in critical condition.
Clashes between protesters and security forces continue. The Dagestan region is a focal point for these tensions. A police officer in a circulating video fires into the air to disperse the crowd. The image circulated widely as a symbol of the volatility surrounding mobilization debates.
According to Breaking News coverage, demonstrations have appeared across the country as conflicts escalate and crowds press for peace and change. Protests have drawn attention from various regions, including the Caucasus, where the authorities face determined opposition.
In Dagestan, the first significant signs of widespread protest have emerged in years. Video and eyewitness accounts show police firing warning shots as crowds gather in the streets, and some observers describe officers appearing overwhelmed by the demonstrations. At times, security forces resorted to crowd control measures to keep roads open and restore order.
Online channels have circulated calls to disable daily life in Dagestan by instructing residents not to attend work until demands are met, while others threaten to burn buildings if detainees are released. Reported footage shows civilians participating in protests on subsequent days, with authorities sometimes using tear gas to manage the crowds.
Telegram channels have urged Dagestan residents to abstain from work and public life until the mobilization policy is canceled. Critics argue that the policy has yet to meet popular expectations, and protestors hear calls of no war during rallies, expressed through the shared videos and testimonies circulating online.
A woman from Dagestan expresses a clear stance to a police officer, stating that Russia attacked Ukraine and that the truth cannot be hidden. Reports indicate that weapons have been used to disperse protesters, and several incidents show gunshots in public spaces.
The southern regions of Russia remain volatile, tracing back to historical conflicts in the area. The region has hosted two major campaigns in Chechnya and serves as a transit point for many who seek to travel abroad, including routes toward Georgia and Azerbaijan.