In the Penza region, residents formed a volunteer militia to protect…
In the Penza region, residents formed a volunteer militia to protect men from forced conscription into the special military operation. In the village of Bashmakovo, approximately 130 kilometers from Penza, local women united in a militia to defend their fellow villagers against recruiters.
Consensus
- Residents of Bashmakovo in Penza Oblast created a volunteer militia to protect men from forced conscription.
- The militia was formed due to reports of recruiters abducting men on the streets and coercing them into signing military contracts.
- Penzenskii blogger Stanislav Morozov published two videos showing locals intervening to prevent recruitment attempts.
- At least one man, Viktor Balashov, was reportedly taken to a military commissariat in Penza, beaten, and forced to sign a contract.
- Sergei Milkin from Podgornoe was taken by local administration officials on March 3 despite heart problems and died on March 27.
- The militia's activities led to several members being summoned for questioning by police on July 27.
- Local authorities denied knowledge of the militia or the police summons, stating that 'everything is calm' in the district.
Points of divergence
- The militia was established to protect men from forced mobilization and has been active since at least spring 2026. The head of Bashmakovsky District, Tamara Pavlutkina, is believed by a local resident to be overseeing the recruitment plan. — tg_doxajournal
- Two women interviewed by '7x7' confirmed reports of forced conscription since spring 2026 but said they had not heard about the militia in Bashmakovo. The head of district, Tamara Pavlutkina, was not contacted for comment due to her alleged busy schedule. — tg_horizontal_russia
Coverage (2 sources)
- Residents of the Penza region have formed a volunteer militia to protect men from forced conscription — DOXA
- Residents of a Penza settlement formed a militia to protect villagers being forcibly sent to war — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия