'Russians won't kill for free': expert says Putin unlikely to order forced mobilization

Oleksandr Shulha, the head of the Institute of Conflictology and Analysis of Russia, stated this on Espreso TV.

"Putin is not ready to go for this. This is the only thing that our research shows, it is the only red line for Russians. There may be an unchanging president, price increases, but mobilization should not be forced. Money, release from custody, debt forgiveness, obtaining citizenship - anything, but some benefit from signing up. No repeat of autumn 2022," he stated.

According to Shulha, Russians are nihilists, and this war has not become ideological for them. 

"They are not ready to kill us for free - they see nothing wrong with this, which is also a problem. Because no new aggression will be a stop for them, it has already become routine. They don't want to, first of all, risk their lives for nothing. Russians are very strong nihilists, which is truly ironic, given what they say about spirituality and religiosity. Any work (in their understanding - ed.) must be paid for," the expert summarized.