Putin backs recruiting unfit men for drone defense

September 6, 2026 at 05:40 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed a proposal to allow men classified as completely unfit for military service to guard facilities against Ukrainian drones. The proposal came from pro-Kremlin war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny at a United Russia party meeting on September 5. Putin also denied any new mobilization, calling such talk an information attack ahead of State Duma elections.

Key Facts

Putin endorsed the proposal at a United Russia party meeting on September 5, according to The Moscow Times and Ekho.
Category D is assigned for severe chronic conditions including active tuberculosis, HIV, cancer, schizophrenia, missing limbs, blindness, or deafness.
Russian law currently prohibits Category D citizens from signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense.
Putin denied a new mobilization at the Eastern Economic Forum on September 3, calling it an information attack before State Duma elections.
The Kremlin and Defense Ministry ordered regions to recruit 409,000 contract soldiers by the end of 2026, according to Financial Times sources.

The Proposal

Pro-Kremlin war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny proposed allowing Category D citizens to guard facilities against drones in rear areas. Poddubny said wounded soldiers who received this category asked for such roles, arguing they can serve in regional units away from the front line. Putin supported the proposal at the same United Russia meeting on September 5.

Category D Restrictions

Category D is assigned for severe chronic illnesses such as active tuberculosis, HIV infection, cancer, schizophrenia, missing limbs, blindness, or deafness. Citizens with Category D are removed from military registration and their personal files are sent to the archive. Under current Russian law, they cannot sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense.

Mobilization Denials

Putin denied any new mobilization at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 3, saying no scenario requires it. He called mobilization rumors an information attack by the enemy ahead of State Duma elections. The 2022 partial mobilization decree remains formally in force, and Russians report summonses, military training, and intensified recruitment. In August, Russian losses exceeded 40,000 for the second consecutive month, according to the Institute for the Study of War. The Kremlin and Defense Ministry ordered regions to recruit 409,000 contract soldiers by the end of 2026, Financial Times reported citing sources.