Russia seeks to prevent potential recruits and mobilised persons from leaving country - UK intelligence

This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defence.

On July 11, the Russian independent media organisation Medusa reported that the Russian government is implementing an "information exchange system" between the Ministry of Defence and the FSB to provide detailed information about potential recruits to the FSB border service and prevent them from leaving the country.

The system reportedly should be fully functional by autumn 2024.

According to British intelligence, Russia holds two conscription rounds annually, calling on more than 250,000 people to serve one year of compulsory military service.

The British Ministry of Defence reports that hundreds of thousands of Russian residents left the country after the announcement of partial mobilisation in 2022. They were disproportionately concentrated among young and highly educated people, which affected the labour market.

"The implementation of this system is likely intended to prevent a smaller scale repeat during the annual draft cycle and in the event of a further wave of mobilisation," the British agency emphasises.

• In April, the Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia was stepping up mobilisation ahead of a possible offensive in the summer of 2024, but due to heavy losses in the war, it would be difficult for them to quickly rebuild their reserves.