Russians unfit for military service may be involved in the fight against drones. Putin approved the initiative

1 hour ago

Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the initiative to recruit citizens classified under health category "D" — meaning completely unfit for military service — into the ranks of the army. However, they will not be sent to the front; they will be engaged in shooting down drones inside the country.

This initiative was put forward by Russian military correspondent and one of the leaders of the "United Russia" party, Yevgeny Poddubny. During a meeting with Vladimir Putin on September 5, he reported that some military personnel who fell into category "D" due to severe injuries want to return to service.

According to Poddubny, such volunteers will serve not on the front line, but as part of territorial units. In particular, they will be involved in the air defense units of the BARS structure. Such detachments are engaged in protecting Russian cities, villages, and industrial enterprises from Ukrainian drones.

"We have a group of volunteers who, assessing their capabilities, want to serve in territorial units that protect facilities from drones. They are asking for permission to do this as an exception. We are not talking about the front line. The issue is protecting your own city, your own village, your enterprise," Poddubny said.

Putin responded briefly to his proposal, saying, "I support it."

What is category "D"?

According to the Russian military-medical classification, category "D" means that a citizen is unfit for military service. Such citizens are usually removed from the military register and, under current procedures, cannot conclude a military service contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Category "D" can be assigned in cases of severe illnesses and injuries. These include active forms of tuberculosis, HIV, certain oncological diseases, schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses, as well as the absence of limbs, blindness, or complete deafness.

The initiative was voiced against the backdrop of debates about mobilization

This initiative, put forward by the Russian deputy, coincided with a time when debates about a new mobilization in the country have intensified. On September 3, Vladimir Putin dismissed reports of a new wave of mobilization, saying that the situation does not require it for now. The Russian President stressed that such reports are an "information operation" carried out on the eve of the State Duma elections.

Nevertheless, the issue of replacing the losses of the Russian armed forces at the front remains urgent. According to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War on August 31, the Kremlin is trying to maintain mechanisms for replenishing the ranks of the Russian army. The Economist, citing its sources, wrote that Putin aims to send another 300,000–400,000 military personnel to the war.

The Institute for the Study of War suggested that a new mobilization might not be declared for this purpose. According to experts, this goal can be achieved by recruiting additional soldiers from Russian regions.