Penza officials accused of using municipal cars for forced military recruitment

Independent outlet Agenstvo, citing blogger Stanislav Morozov, reports that civilian‑clad agents in the Penza region of Russia organized raids to conscript men into special military contracts, using cars supplied by local authorities.

One incident involves security guard Serghei Tepleakov, who says four men entered his home on 23 July, pretended to be police and tried to force him into a vehicle; his son filmed the event. In a second case, gas‑equipment seller Aleksei Denisenko says two men forced him into a car on 22 July; the vehicle contained a local administration employee and was driven by Vasili Kuzmin. Relatives intercepted the car about 86 km from Bașmakovo, stopped it and rescued the men. Both families have filed police complaints. The investigation claims at least one of the cars belongs to the Support Center of Institutions.