The Russian Defense Ministry published a draft amendment that would expand the list of citizens’ personal data that Russian military officials can obtain from federal agencies, companies and organizations. Officials would gain access to information on registration, income, education, disabilities, taxes, banking transactions and medical records of Russians liable for military service.
The Institute for the Study of War, or ISW, assessed the proposal as part of Russia’s long-term effort to create a unified digital system to support conscription and mobilization. The Defense Ministry is seeking access to information relevant to determining fitness for military service.
However, the proposal does not indicate that Vladimir Putin has made a final decision to conduct a mobilization after the Sept. 20 elections. Rather, it is part of the Russian Defense Ministry’s preparations for such a decision, ISW said.
“ISW continues to assess that the decision to announce the forced mobilization of reservists in Russia remains a highly personal one for Putin, which he will make based on his perception of the battlefield situation and his assessment of the stability of his regime,” the analysts said.
On Aug. 27, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russian authorities were preparing for another large-scale mobilization in 2026-2027. Moscow plans to mobilize about 600,000 people, or 300,000 in each year.