The Butyrsky district of Moscow has become a focal point for military recruitment, with hundreds of men arriving daily at the military registration and enlistment offices on Yablochkova Street. The area includes the Unified Selection Point for Contract Service and the Unified Conscription Point. A new multi-story military commissariat is scheduled to open soon on Yablochkova Street.
Recruiters greet men near the Timiryazevskaya metro station, offering contracts with the Ministry of Defense for service in the Special Military Operation. Colorful stands advertise six-figure sums soldiers can earn in their first year, along with ammunition and supplies. The entrance to the contract service selection point is now controlled by the military, with future soldiers waiting on the street. The departure zone is guarded by police and security, where men bid farewell to their families.
Saltinbek, a 54-year-old taxi driver from Almetyevsk, traveled to Moscow to sign a contract due to his family’s financial struggles. He aims to provide opportunities for his children and grandchildren, following his brother’s footsteps who is already serving on the front line.
The Unified Conscription Point, opened in 2024, is housed in a nine-story building covering 13,000 square meters. Adjoining it is the future Moscow military commissariat, an eleven-story building of approximately 24,000 square meters, expected to open in the summer of 2025. The building will feature offices, medical examination rooms, visitor reception areas, document storage, a meeting room, an assembly hall, and a gym accessible to military personnel. The exteriors of both buildings share the Russian tricolor design.
Young men from across Moscow visit the Unified Conscription Point for initial military registration, deferrals, or compulsory service assignments. Some are escorted by police, likely those identified as evaders during raids and document checks.
Inside the conscription point, guards inspect bags and direct individuals through metal detectors. Each person receives an electronic pass to navigate the building, with all personal data anonymized. Electronic devices must be stored in automated lockers. A waiting area with furniture, books, and newspapers is available for those accompanying the conscripts. Information boards display military equipment and track individuals’ locations within the building. Vending machines and ATMs are available, as well as flower decorations, including spathiphyllum plants.
Asya, 18, is waiting for her 19-year-old boyfriend, Oleg, who will soon begin his compulsory military service. The couple, originally from Sakhalin, moved to Moscow for education. Asya plans to take academic leave and return to her parents’ home during Oleg’s service. They will avoid farewells to ease the separation.
Dmitry and Savely, both 20-year-old college graduates, view their upcoming military service as a way to build character and decided to follow the law instead of evading the draft. They hope to serve in the same unit and brought push-button phones to stay in contact.
A military ID, awarded upon completion of military service, is seen as essential for future employment. Without it, individuals may face limited opportunities and lower initial wages.