Digitalization, Russian Edition — Russia Has Passed a Law on Electronic Delivery of Draft Notices During the New Wave of Mobilization

THE FEDERATION COUNCIL OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

“Everything is going according to plan in Russia”: a few days ago, the Federation Council adopted a law on the creation of a unified military registry. Peskov has already stated that the resumption of mobilization is not planned, and that the adoption of the new law is related to fulfilling the duties of those liable for military service. But everyone understands that, like all statements by the Russian authorities, this is a lie.

The new law allows digital draft notices to be sent to those liable for military service and also introduces a number of restrictions for citizens who receive a draft notice and fail to report to the military enlistment office. In addition, the document allows citizens to be automatically placed on military records without a personal visit to the enlistment office—based on data from state information systems.

Read also: Mobilization 2.0: Draft notices continue to be sent in Russia to residents of regions where mobilization plans have already been fulfilled

“After significant losses at the front, the Russian military command continues to resort to new manipulations, mobilizing new waves of ‘cannon fodder’ and replenishing army reserves. New laws will only help to covertly conduct mobilization and commit crimes,” said UCBSS Head Serhii Kuzan.

How will electronic draft notices be delivered under the new law?

Draft notices will continue to be sent in paper form, but will also be duplicated electronically. While receiving a paper notice could previously be avoided or delayed, an electronic notice will be considered delivered from the moment it is posted in a Russian citizen’s personal account on the “Gosuslugi” portal, where registration is mandatory.

What consequences will this latest Kremlin absurdity have for Russians?

For failure to report to the military enlistment office within 20 days without a valid reason, Russians will face restrictions on their rights, including bans on:

• registering as an individual entrepreneur;
• registering vehicles and real estate;
• the right to drive a vehicle and access to loans;

In addition, additional restrictions may be imposed on payments, benefits, and other forms of financial support.

Commenting on the adopted law, a speaker of the Federation Council stated: “We created new formats to make them convenient for people to use. This will allow law-abiding citizens to receive timely information about draft notices sent to them in a way that is convenient for them. What’s bad about that?”

Indeed, as another speaker noted, there is nothing wrong with automatic registration for military service, and it is by no means “a violation of human rights.” Mobilization is a citizen’s duty, after all—because fighting for a bloodthirsty dictator is the dream of every “conscientious” Russian.

“The only way out for newly mobilized Russians who do not want to be part of a criminal mechanism is the official state project ‘I Want to Live.’ Anyone who receives a draft notice can contact the project’s hotline and receive instructions on how to safely surrender and avoid death or injury at the front,” UCBSS Head Serhii Kuzan concluded.

Anastasiia Pikhur