On Oct. 2 Vladimir Putin signed a law that allows criminals to join the army in return for immunity. According to independent Russian outlet Istories, the government wants to conscript 40 percent of 60,000 prisoners with pre-trial detention status.

On Aug 6, 2024, Ukrainian armed forces launched an incursion into the Kursk region of Russia. More than 1,000 Ukrainian troops, backed by tanks and armored vehicles, caught Russia off guard, prompting Moscow to declare a state of emergency and rush reinforcements to the region.