Leaving the city, moving to a new home, changing jobs—Russians living in the West, part of the diaspora, are circulating leaflets with practical tips aimed at making it harder for the Putin regime to recruit people for the Ukrainian war.
The initiative draws on a sense of proximity that some consider essential. This winter marks a new phase of forced mobilization targeting young soldiers, and while the forecasts remain unofficial, a Moscow-born Russian living in Alicante says many people share the belief, based on past experience. He, now abroad with part of his family since February 2022, is one of those sharing such guidance from Spain.
Relatives of potential conscripts and close friends in similar circumstances say they know what is advisable, even though it is not easy to implement. Bypassing phone controls and blocks on non-Russian networks such as X, Facebook, Telegram, or Vk from abroad is a common hurdle.
Advisory memos outline how to navigate around the Ministry of Defense. They appear in several versions, with some Russian sources reporting consultations in Spain. In a country long accustomed to loud, secret slogans, the efforts by diaspora groups in the Baltic region have become more visible under the banner Call to Consciousness, supported by lawyers and human rights experts.
The main objective is to stay outside government databases, which makes it difficult for the military to locate individuals without crossing legal lines. The guiding sentiment emphasizes personal choices in the face of mobilization: leave, hide, or resist. The emphasis is on avoiding war altogether, a message echoed by Ivan Zhdanov, director of the Russian Anti-Corruption Foundation and a Russian exile in Lithuania, who states that the crucial aim is simply not to participate in the fighting.
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Among the most repeated recommendations for young Russians of military age is not to defy authorities openly or desert, but to pursue options that minimize risk. A government-issued personal message urging enlistment is suggested to be routed around, since future mobilization announcements are expected to come electronically rather than by mail, a shift decided by the Russian administration last year.
The initial step in this change is addressed by experts who advise favoring larger cities from the outset. Some suggest listing a city residence as a temporary address to complicate tracking. Russian conscription has historically targeted the Ukrainian war effort; observers note that young men from rural areas are more frequently drawn into service, while those in urban centers face tighter surveillance. A former Moscow diplomat adds that students from Moscow may still have a better chance of avoiding the worst outcomes. A middle-sized city is often recommended to reduce exposure through camera networks, according to another insider who is living abroad.
Relocation should include finding a safe place to stay with family or trusted friends who can protect identities and maintain distance, not only across neighborhoods but across regions, to slow down and complicate any pursuit.
Careful entry into the new residence is advised to avoid drawing attention, as mobilization commissions can operate in places with limited public support. Practical checklists stress a basic essentials bag—hygiene items, medical supplies, and food—along with having a passport ready for quick departure or travel. The passport should be kept in a sealed, tamper-resistant container to prevent its Electronic Readout from being read.
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Moving without addressing phone use minimizes risk. Advice from chats among expatriates suggests obtaining a new SIM in a transit zone where ID checks are minimal, and using a separate phone number for this SIM. The aim is to avoid linking a new line to the person’s previous identity. The phone itself should be new or have an IMEI not tied to other SIMs used by the person hiding. A SIM without an ID record tends to be blocked, so enlisting a trusted friend’s line from a different area is common. It is also recommended not to keep the new device near the old one to prevent cross-location GPS signals from revealing movements.
Along with these steps, some advocate changing employment arrangements. The suggestion is to shift from a standard employee role to a contractor or external supplier position, potentially with remote work approvals, to reduce visibility to recruitment efforts.
No signal
Even with housing changes, one must consider travel markers. Planning to avoid air or train travel is important, since tickets and accommodations can leave traces. At the same time, assets should be kept out of the original name, and in some cases, family transfers may be advised to obscure ownership. In a distant life away from the front, financial prudence matters: taking cash and avoiding credit cards or bank withdrawals reduces traceability while continuing medical needs should be arranged discreetly, with care to avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
Official calls to disobedience are met with penalties abroad, but the record shows many individuals have faced lengthy detentions for public opposition to the invasion in 2022. Conscientious objectors have been cited in court counts across Europe, with multiple cases heard by military courts where acquittals were rare. The broader message remains: if all else fails, an immigrant to Canada might consider a stance of refusal to comply, arguing that survival matters more than compliance in a hostile system. The longer war lasts, the more people may reassess their choices and seek safer futures.