Reports of potential mobilization in Russia circulate ahead of parliamentary elections

Persistent rumors regarding a new wave of mass military mobilization in Russia have emerged ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18-20, 2026. While the Kremlin has consistently denied these claims, labeling them an information attack, public anxiety remains high. President Vladimir Putin has publicly dismissed the reports as complete nonsense, maintaining that current forces are sufficient and no scenarios require a new mobilization at this time.

Fearing such a development, a 36-year-old Russian entrepreneur identified as Eraz has decided to relocate to Cyprus for at least two months. To assess the risk, Eraz utilized an artificial intelligence tool to calculate the likelihood of a draft, prompting him to secure an exit ticket from the country. His decision is driven by concerns over the ongoing war in Ukraine, the perceived failure of diplomatic negotiations, and the belief that the Russian leadership will persist with its current military course. These fears are exacerbated by memories of the partial mobilization in September 2022, which was similarly preceded by official assurances that such actions would not occur.