As the Ukrainian war rages on, Russian citizens are fleeing to Western countries in record numbers to evade conscription. The U.K. government has reported unprecedented levels of asylum applications from Russians seeking to avoid military service. Both Russia and Ukraine have suffered heavy casualties, leading to intensified recruitment efforts and a widening pool of available conscripts. The increased conscription age and penalties for draft dodging in Russia have further exacerbated the issue. Despite the influx of new recruits, Russia’s army has been reconstituted at a faster pace than anticipated, according to Western experts.