Russia makes draft dodging even harder

Apr 14 2023 Staff Writer

In a move that could have significant implications for Russia’s military and society, the country’s government has announced plans to overhaul its draft system, making it nearly impossible for young men to avoid military conscription.

This indicates that Moscow is preparing to strengthen its military that has been struggling under Ukraine’s fierce counterattack.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Russia plans digital draft after thousands dodge military service, flee country <a href="https://t.co/poO6QyBioD">https://t.co/poO6QyBioD</a></p>— Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1646275789233455104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Currently, Russian men receive paper conscription notices delivered in-person at their registered address or workplace, and some 300,000 men were recruited to fight in Ukraine last year. The new rules, which could be enforced as early as this week and apply to both draftees and reservists, mean that a conscription notice will be considered delivered and legally valid as soon as it lands in one’s account on Russia’s state portal for electronic services.

The “Gosuslugi” portal is widely used by Russians for online public services, so avoiding it to dodge the draft would be very difficult.

According to the law, men would be barred from leaving the country from the day they receive the summons and until they appear at a military recruitment office. Those who fail to show up within 20 days will face a number of restrictions, including a ban on driving vehicles, selling and buying real estate and obtaining bank loans.

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The changes appear to give the Kremlin a much more streamlined system that would enable a more thorough conscription effort, closing loopholes that have helped thousands dodge the draft.

The overhaul has been met with mixed reactions in Russia. Supporters argue that it will increase the number of conscripts, thereby bolstering the country’s military capabilities. Others have expressed concerns that the changes will unfairly burden young men and their families, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds

Critics of the overhaul say that it is unlikely to significantly improve the quality of the conscript army, as many young men will still seek ways to avoid military service. Additionally, there are concerns that the new requirements for deferments could lead to an increase in corruption and nepotism within the higher education system.

President Vladimir Putin first announced partial mobilization as his forces struggled in Ukraine last September, resulting in a mass exodus of Russian men and a wave of protests across the country. There were no official estimates of how many men may have fled, but many among those who did not leave the country and were unwilling to fight hid from authorities. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu vowed on Oct. 28 that no more would be mobilized in the near future.

The overhaul of the draft system represents a significant step in Russia’s efforts to modernize its military and improve its readiness for potential conflicts. However, it remains to be seen whether the changes will have the desired impact or if they will simply create new challenges for the country’s young men and their families.