June 24, 2026

Panic in Penza


Panic in Penza
Women blocking a white van in Penza. Vazhnie Novosti, Telegram.

On June 17, a Penza Oblast resident uploaded a video showing women attempting to stop a bus near the military draft office, screaming that authorities were rounding up men illegally. Upon further investigation, independent newspapers and human rights activists found that this was not the first time raids of this kind occurred in Penza.

Penza resident Natalia Solomina posted a video to her VKontakte page showing women physically blocking a bus. They said between tears that their husbands and friends were beaten and forced to sign military contracts. The men, who were escorted by military personnel, did not respond as to whether they had volunteered in the army or not.

The Penza Ministry of Interior confirmed the raids and said the recruits were residents who had obtained Russian citizenship but not enlisted in the army on time. "These raids are planned and conducted periodically throughout the region," the ministry said.

The next day, June 18, authorities set up military checkpoints. Traffic and riot police were posted on roads in Penza, stopping individuals and traffic. According to the independent outlet Veter, detainees were sent to the military registration office, beaten, and forced to register in the army.

Ivan Chuvilayev, a representative of the movement "Idite Lesom("Go to the Forest"), told Veter that human rights activists have received four complaints from Penza. According to the Chuvilayev, authorities are targeting the socially vulnerable, such as debtors, alcoholics, and former convicts, and rounding them up. After being taken to jail, they are told to either face criminal charges or sign a contract with the military. According to Chuvilayev, such raids are illegal.

Olga, a Penza resident, told Veter, "In the [local social media] chats, there is panic everywhere, people are in panic, they actively write: 'Don't leave there, don't go there.'" She said that many residents, including herself, have witnessed or know someone who has been affected by the raids. Her elderly neighbor's son was detained while coming home drunk. He was set free after his mother complained and said he had diabetes. A friend of Olga's was hosting a show at a bar when he was rounded up. According to Olga, he was released through the intervention of influential contacts. Oleg, a Penza taxi driver, said he has seen the military outposts set up on the road and avoids them. He told Veter that, "since 2022, we have gotten used to worrying: for us, that is a 'stable' state."

In September 2025 authorities conducted similar raids, detaining and inspecting 80 men. Only 2 signed a military contract.

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