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Russia begins autumn draft of 120,000 young men
Russia plans to call up the men between October and December, and officials insist they will not be sent to Ukraine; the military has already admitted otherwise.
On air: Hank Ledger on BBN NewsroomPublished
At a glance
- First reported by New York Post: “Young Russian men get shipped off as Putin prepares to draft 120,000 troops”.
- Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 10:09 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger.
- Topics: Putin, Russian, Russia.
- BBN covered this story before: Trump's Russia moves rattle Republicans before midterms (October 14).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMoscow has begun its autumn military draft, and Russia plans to call up one hundred twenty thousand men between October and December.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSkip is following the footage live this morning.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentI'm standing near a bus depot where footage shows young men getting medical exams, collecting uniforms and boarding buses, and the line behind me has not stopped moving since I arrived.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentOfficials say these conscripts will not be sent to fight in Ukraine.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentBut the military has previously admitted that conscripts were deployed there, and that is the part everyone out here keeps bringing up.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThey said it won't happen, and they also said it did happen.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentI spoke with a local man whose nephew is on one of these buses. Sir, what are you hearing from the officials?
Anatoly BrevnovThey told us he is going to train, and I want to believe it.
Anatoly BrevnovThe bus leaves at noon, and that is the only promise I can check.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentThere you have it, Hank. And if the desk ever needs someone to stand next to a bus all day, I am available.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThank you, Skip. The buses have departure times, and the promise doesn't.
The story so far
- Riyadh strike kills 12; Republicans push back on Russian diesel deal · Washington Examiner
- Ukraine hits third Russian data center in four days · AP News
- Trump's Zelensky attack, Russia diesel deal draw backlash; Erie… · The Washington Post
- NATO commander warns of total response to any Russian attack · Washington Examiner
- Trump hands Putin wins; Ukraine drones hit Saratov · The New York Times
- Trump's Russia moves rattle Republicans before midterms · Axios
- Russia begins autumn draft of 120,000 young men (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 · the World archive · all months
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