Putin backed using medically unfit volunteers for rear-area anti-drone roles, highlighting manpower pressure and demand for counter-drone systems.
Belarus directs underperforming agricultural workers to military service during harvest, aiming to enforce labor discipline and improve productivity amid government mobilization efforts.
Austria plans to extend mandatory military service to nine months, aiming to strengthen national defense amid rising security threats, impacting workforce and tech startups.
Ukraine’s president warns of Russia’s plan to expand military mobilization in fall 2026, including recruiting North Korean troops, raising concerns for regional security and tech innovation.
Germany sees a surge in military service refusals due to conscription reforms and security tensions, affecting talent pools crucial for startups and venture capital ecosystems.
The Russian Defense Ministry proposes ending mandatory medical checks for contract soldiers, underscoring recruitment struggles amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Russian anti-war activist Ilya Shkolny secures asylum in Germany after a three-year legal struggle involving multiple rejections and strong public support.