Bashmakovo residents form volunteer patrols to prevent forced military recruitment

In the town of Bashmakovo, located in Russia's Penza Oblast, residents have formed volunteer patrols to protect neighbors from what they describe as forced military mobilization. These spontaneous groups coordinate via the VK social network to monitor streets and prevent authorities from forcibly taking men to recruitment centers.

The movement follows reports of coercive tactics used by recruiters. In one incident on July 23, men in civilian clothing allegedly impersonated police officers to demand identification from Sergei Tepljakov, a security services employee. When Tepljakov contacted the actual police, the men reportedly attempted to force him into a vehicle, only releasing him after his son arrived to film the encounter.

A similar incident occurred the following day involving Alexei Denisenko, who was performing court-ordered community service. Witnesses reported that men, including a local administration official, threatened Denisenko with severe consequences if he refused to go to a district office. He was eventually rescued from the vehicle by his sister, who forced the car to stop.

Local residents state that these incidents have driven the community of approximately 9,000 people to organize continuous surveillance to prevent similar forced removals.