Because Russia hasn't mobilized besides the "partial mobilization" in 2022. The question is why. One theory is that they don't need to. The other theory is that they can't. I live in the US and remember the Iraq war. In 2004 one of the biggest things going around was that Bush was going to start conscription.

But if he were to have attempted mobilization the support for the war in the US would have instantly collapsed so instead he tried various things to fill the ranks like using mercenaries, "backdoor drafts" via stoploss, activating national guard, etc. And in the end, let's be honest, the US lost both of Bush's wars.

[–] rottingleaf 2 points 2 days ago

One theory is that they don’t need to.

They are giving citizenship to labor migrants for service there, and to various illegals, so I'd say they need it.

The other theory is that they can’t.

They can. That "partial mobilization" is still in effect. These people are simply afraid of calling anything by its name.

They want to pretend it's still 00s and we are an imperfect democracy with a counter-terrorist operation slowly going on in Northern Caucasus, we have a fairly elected president with his high rating, stability and booming economy and all that. They really liked that while it lasted.

But, ahem, they don't want to let go of power. Still, they are trying to call everything the words which would aesthetically fit into that atmosphere of 00s, and it doesn't make any sense for anyone outside their crowd.

And in the end, let’s be honest, the US lost both of Bush’s wars.

It lost the peace after. It won both wars.

I mean, one can redefine a lot of terms, but then USSR lost WWII, since it fscked up the restoration of its parts of Europe.