How Russia campaigns in occupied territories for enlistment in its armed forces

In the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, Russia conducts forced mobilisation while actively campaigning for local residents to join its armed forces. These efforts aim to replenish the Russian military with personnel for combat against Ukraine. To achieve this, pseudo-authorities employ various influence methods and communication channels.

Read on for an overview of how residents are encouraged to enlist, alongside recruitment methods and propaganda tools currently deployed.

Forced mobilisation

Following the occupation of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, Russia's initial focus was placing local residents on military registries, before forcibly mobilising them into the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to fight against Ukraine.

Even prior to the full-scale invasion, on 19 February 2022, occupation authorities issued a decree 'On General Mobilisation'. This order applies to all men of conscription age and women in specific professions.

According to residents, individuals in uniform hand out draft notices on streets, at workplaces, and conduct home visits.

Furthermore, occupying forces organise round-ups in crowded public places to transport men to military 'training' facilities.

A resident of Rubizhne who escaped occupation described those mobilised in Luhansk oblast:

'Among them are many 17- and 18-year-old boys and ordinary factory workers who had never held a rifle before. They all want to go home and do not want to fight. Many were sent to the front, and I doubt most are still alive.'

At the Uspenka checkpoint, located in occupied Donetsk oblast on the border with Russia, men whose passports lack a military registration stamp are routinely served draft notices upon crossing. Consequently, many local residents avoid this checkpoint.

Recruitment campaigning among local residents

Alongside forced mobilisation, Russia actively campaigns to encourage local residents to join its military, relying on propaganda tools and information channels to project a positive image of military service.

These campaigns aim to influence mindsets, frame service as an opportunity to solve social or financial difficulties, and encourage enlistment under slogans of 'patriotism' and 'defending the Motherland'.

Banners, adverts and brochures

Along streets in occupied cities and towns in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, banners urge residents to sign up for contract military service in the Russian Armed Forces. They feature slogans such as 'Your choice' or 'Victory will be ours'. Promised financial remuneration is used to draw peoples' attention.

Additionally, banners display recruitment centre contact details, outline alleged benefits of contract service, and feature images of Russian soldiers.

Propaganda flyers bearing the slogan 'Let's serve together' are posted throughout cities, specifying that the offer applies to contract military service and listing supposed advantages.

Leaflets titled 'Serve under contract in the armed forces' are distributed to residents, containing details on candidate requirements, financial remuneration, social benefits, and guarantees.

Local Telegram chats

Russia heavily relies on local Telegram chats across occupied territories to disseminate recruitment calls. Messages regularly appear urging locals to join the Russian Armed Forces taking part in hostilities against Ukraine.

One advert offers positions within air defence units, promising payment from 1,000,000 roubles (EUR 10,700) upon signing a contract. The offer targets men aged 18 to 45.

In other similar posts, propaganda slogans play a crucial role: 'There is such a profession - defender of the Motherland', 'Join your folks in the SMO!', and 'We don't abandon our own people'.

Such appeals foster an illusion of 'unity' and belonging, instilling a sense of 'civic duty' to encourage enlistment.

Social media videos

Video is among the most contemporary propaganda tools, serving as an effective means of influencing residents in occupied areas. Russian sources do not merely urge people to sign contracts with their armed forces; they rely on emotional impact through combat footage and community-focused stories.

For example, a social media video features the 'BARS-LPR' unit, encouraging people to enlist under the slogan 'Defending the skies of the Luhansk region'. The video depicts combat operations alongside clips of soldiers allegedly assisting local residents.

Another campaign video encourages service through personal stories of men who 'voluntarily' signed contracts. It features footage of their military training while emphasising the importance of fulfilling one's 'duty' to the state, concluding with the slogan: 'Stand shoulder to shoulder with your folks in the SMO!'.

Educational institutions and the militarisation of youth

In occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, Russia actively targets students to join the Russian army, creating conditions that encourage young people to join units fighting against Ukraine.

In higher education institutions across occupied Luhansk oblast, students facing expulsion are offered academic leave on condition that they sign a contract with the Russian military. Some have been threatened with expulsion and subsequent forced mobilisation unless they 'voluntarily' agree to serve.

Furthermore, some institutions run military courses for youth and organise meetings with Russian military personnel. These events foster a positive attitude towards military service, instil 'patriotism', and encourage participation in combat operations on Russia's side.

Enlistment campaigns are also directed at school pupils. Through career guidance sessions, they are indoctrinated with the idea of entering military education institutions.

Offences leading to a Russian army contract

According to a person living under occupation, alongside these measures, there is a scheme for forcibly recruiting offenders into the Russian army:

'Those with whom the "law enforcement" cannot come to an agreement, or those they want to profit from, are forced to sign a contract. Afterwards, they are sent to military units, where many quickly die.'

Russia seeks to recruit as many people as possible into its military - including foreign nationals from countries such as Kenya - to fight against Ukraine. At the same time, its propaganda operations across occupied Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts demonstrate an extensive arsenal of tools and media channels.

Banners, flyers, brochures, posts on social media and Telegram chats, video clips, and the use of educational institutions are all components of a unified ecosystem for recruiting people into the Russian army. Analysing these tactics sheds light on specific propaganda mechanisms Russia uses to draw individuals into the war, and aids in developing measures to counter such campaigns.