Young Russians report how the mood is changing

On Wednesday morning, shortly after Vladimir Putin’s televised address, many Russians panicked. Due to the partial mobilization announced by the President, both the demand for tickets for visa-free countries and the Google search for “conscientious objector” skyrocketed.

The Kremlin promised that the first round would only affect those who have already served or who have been trained at men’s military departments with particularly valuable specializations for the army. Apparently very few people believe that. In reality, there is no framework for group affiliation in the presidential decree — and indeed almost anyone can be drafted.

How will the general public react to this? We’ve collected initial reactions from Russians who will be directly affected – men of potential draft age. Individual respondents asked not to be quoted with their real name and age. For fear of consequences.