Russian conscripts are reportedly expected to supply their own war equipment, including specialised helmets and body armour.
President Vladimir Putin last month began mobilising civilian recruits to help his stuttering invasion of Ukraine in which 500 Moscow troops are estimated to be being killed or wounded per day.
And the new soldiers - many of whom are desperately trying to dodge the draft - are ordered to provide their own gear and then foot the bill, it has been claimed.
A checklist allegedly sent out to Army personnel on signing up includes many items used for a camping trip - including a torch, spare batteries and a mug.
A rough translation sees the list even described as a "minimal requisite equipment for military business trip".
But it also specifies an "Armoured helmet (ATLAS , OMNITEC, 6647)" and "bullet proof vest".
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Due to thousands of conscripts attempting to buy the items at once, it has opened the door for a lucrative black market.
Military history author and researcher Chris Owen - who shared the list on Twitter - said: "If anyone's wondering where civilians get body armour, tactical gear, and helmets, a lot of it is being sold on Avito (Russia's eBay).
"It's not just military surplus, it's often current kit being resold by corrupt military logistics staff who've stolen it from army depots."
In one of his photos from Avito, a helmet and body armour combo was costing ₽25,000 (£368) in the middle of last month.
But in another screen grab from the site on September 29, it shows body armour on its own had rocketed to ₽135,000 (£1,960).
Before the huge hike in price, Mr Owen had predicted: "The sellers are going to be gouging the buyers for every ruble they can get."
The author goes on to suggest loan sharks appear to be taking full advantage, offering microcredit to families whose loved ones can't afford the equipment.
According to Telegram channel Baza, newly mobilised troops have then found themselves fighting off attempts by existing contract soldiers to rob them of their sought after gear once on base.
Mr Owen described it as a "dog-eat-dog world" in the Russian army.
Translating from claims in the Telegram channel, he wrote: "In a military unit near Moscow, contract servicemen wanted to take away some of the mobilised men's equipment and telephones.
"This did not work: the newcomers simply beat up the 'oldtimers'."
It is believed the incident took place in Alabino - which houses a military training ground where mobilised troops are being taken.
Continuing his translation, Mr Owen said: "Soldiers who were attached to the unit started demanding clothes and mobile phones from the newcomers.
"The newcomers did not tolerate such an attitude and responded to the extortion with brute force."
According to Baza, a "mass brawl broke out" and around 20 "grandads" - the nickname for older soldiers - were beaten up.
"The situation really got out of hand: the beaten men managed to escape only by locking themselves in one of the unit's rooms. From there they called the police," it adds.
From there officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs were reportedly called in before an "agreement" was reached and no police report was filed.
