Russian Conscripts Face Increasing Travel Bans Amid Mobilization Fears
Russian conscripts are increasingly being prevented from leaving the country, with authorities tightening restrictions at borders. Between August 18 and 31, Russia’s human rights project 'Go by the Forest' reported that 23 out of 73 conscripts attempting to exit Russia were denied departure, with travel bans often appearing only during border checks. This tightening of restrictions is fueling fears of another mobilization, despite President Putin repeatedly denying such plans, calling them an 'information attack.' The electronic draft system, fully launched in March, has been used to restrict travel for those who fail to appear at military enlistment offices. Coordination with Belarus has also been tightened, with border authorities potentially exchanging data on military registration. Some conscripts have reported being stopped at airports despite not receiving draft notices, with bans appearing in registries instantaneously or after initial checks. 
