Russian conscripts were taken to Armenia and forced to sign military contracts

At least four conscripts were sent from a military unit in Vladikavkaz to the military base of the Russian Armed Forces in the Armenian Gyumri. There they were forced to sign contracts, reported “Important Stories” with reference to the NGO “Go through the Forest” (this project helps military personnel leave the Russian Federation).

“The 20-year-old guys stupidly thought that these were papers related to the medical examination and signed them. They were told that this was a report on the continuation of service at this base and an agreement with the Ministry of Defense. The word “contract” was not even mentioned,” noted Ivan Chuvilyaev, press secretary of “Go Through the Forest”.

Only later did the soldiers realize that they had signed open-ended contracts, after which they could be sent to the SVO. They tried to recall them, but they were refused.

Human rights activists cannot explain why the conscripts were taken to Armenia and how many people were misled. From the words of the military themselves, it is known that contract soldiers who fought in Ukraine are now being transferred to Gyumri.

Последние новости
US Congressman Calls Kobakhidze’s Meeting with Iranian President an “Insult to Trump”
Politics
US Congressman Calls Kobakhidze’s Meeting with Iranian President an “Insult to Trump”
18 October 2026

American Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has criticized Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze for holding talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting took place in Yerevan on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
News
Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
17 October 2026

On the evening of 17 October, a drone alert was declared again in several districts of Krasnodar Krai. The warning covered Anapa, Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk, Abinsky, Krymsky and Temryuksky districts. Earlier in the day, alerts had also been issued in Sochi, Tuapse municipal district and Mostovsky district.

Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
Society
Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
17 October 2026

In the third quarter of 2026, monthly internet traffic to educational websites in Karachay-Cherkessia was 1.3 times higher than in the first quarter. Among users aged over 55, the figure increased fivefold, according to a study by telecommunications operator MegaFon and the Skillbox educational group.

Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
Human rights
Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
17 October 2026

Sergei Sokolov was taken to Russia’s Investigative Committee and held in the building for around three hours, despite having been officially summoned for questioning as a witness. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the incident as a new stage in the pressure on one of Russia’s last independent media outlets.