In Russia, individuals with syphilis are being mobilized due to a shortage of troops, according to ISW.

This is stated in the report by analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Russia is critically short on troops due to meat assaults, but the Kremlin fears announcing a draft

The Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Andrei Kartapolov, stated on February 4 that mobilization is unnecessary as Russia has an "advantage" on the front. He was supported by deputy Viktor Sobolev, who reported that 740,000 people have signed contracts with the army and assured that mobilization would only worsen the situation, as untrained individuals could end up on the front lines.

A similar position was expressed by the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Andrei Krasov, who claimed that military enlistment offices are successfully fulfilling their recruitment tasks. However, such statements may be aimed at calming the Russian public, which fears a new compulsory draft.

Despite these assurances, the situation indicates otherwise. ISW analysts have noted that by the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, the level of recruitment for Russian military personnel was either equal to or below what is necessary to compensate for losses. Some regions of Russia are failing to meet mobilization quotas as more citizens refuse to fight.

Russia is ready to mobilize those with severe illnesses

Amid these difficulties, the Russian Ministry of Defense has proposed revising the medical criteria for military service. In particular, they want to reclassify a number of serious illnesses—such as syphilis, hypertension, schizophrenia, and psychotic disorders—as less significant, which would allow more individuals to be deemed fit for service. According to experts, these changes are aimed at complicating the process of obtaining exemptions from service due to health conditions and further maintaining the mobilized in the army.

Thus, as ISW analysts explain, Russia is avoiding an official announcement of a new mobilization while seeking other ways to increase military numbers, even at the cost of significantly degrading the quality of personnel.

Recall that recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky named the number of losses of Ukrainian and Russian troops in the war.

Additionally, January has become a "record-setting" month for the Russian army in terms of losses on the front.