"Russia Patrols Downtown Moscow...Mass Conscription"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 16th (local time) that Russian police and forced conscription squads are patrolling central Moscow and other areas, mass conscripting homeless people and office workers of the reservist mobilization age group.

According to the report, police and forced conscription squads arrested dozens of people at a homeless shelter in Moscow on the same day. It was also reported that in the early morning of the 13th, they raided a construction company dormitory and took away about 200 workers.

According to statistics from neighboring countries of Russia, it is estimated that more than 300,000 men and their families have fled Russia since the mobilization order was issued.

Police and forced conscription squads have recently been searching for men regardless of time and place. They stand guard in apartment lobbies issuing conscription orders, raid office buildings and hostels, and block exits of cafes and restaurants to search for conscription targets.

President Vladimir Putin announced on the 14th that about 220,000 people have been conscripted since the mobilization order was issued, and that the conscription process will be completed within two weeks. However, hardliners who want the Ukraine war to continue argue that a second conscription will be necessary.

As news of the deaths of soldiers conscripted after the mobilization order and the arrival of their bodies in their hometowns spread, anti-war sentiment is growing stronger. Andrey Klishas, a senior official of the United Russia party led by President Putin, said that conscription is being carried out illegally and stated, "Indiscriminately conscripting people on the streets is unacceptable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.