Putin’s recruiters scramble to avoid second mass mobilisation as Ukraine losses mount

Putin’s recruiters are scrambling to avoid a second mass mobilisation as Ukraine’s losses mount and Russia’s manpower situation tightens. Reporting says officials are weighing ways to meet battlefield needs without triggering another large-scale call-up, including increasing incentives for volunteers, using regional recruitment drives, and expanding targeted pressure on certain groups. The strain comes as losses reduce the pool of experienced troops, forcing Moscow to consider risky options that could further worsen morale. Analysts say the next months could determine whether the Kremlin avoids escalation or turns to broader mobilisation.