Now too, they’re hearing their state-directed media hint about a darker future of mass mobilization for the despot’s war. The number of volunteers rushing to sign military contracts has been steadily declining, despite promised benefits and sizeable cash payouts. “Everyone is saying, ‘mobilization, mobilization,’” he said. Russia’s previous mobilization of 300,000 reservists in September 2022 led to public protests and a mass exodus of military-age males from the country. Julia Davis is a columnist for The Daily Beast and the creator of the Russian Media Monitor.