Russia tightens military draft rules amid Ukraine war concerns

In Russia, another autumn military draft is approaching, which will be noticeably different from previous ones. It will be conducted under new rules that tighten the call-ups for the army. The first call-ups will be in November, but many Russians are already seeking ways to avoid service.

The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for two and a half years. During this time, Russia has organized several cyclical military drafts. There was significant attention, especially around the first call-ups after the conflict began, as summons were handed out randomly to passersby on the streets.

Over time, more people in Russia started avoiding service or even receiving summons to the army. Therefore, the Kremlin decided to change the draft system, which will be used for the first time during this year's autumn draft. This draft will be conducted electronically.

In this situation, a summons will be considered received as soon as it is sent. Thus, thousands of Russians will lose the right to travel abroad immediately, and if they fail to report to the unit, they will face heavy penalties. Unsurprisingly, many potential draftees are already looking for ways to avoid service.

As lawyer Artem Klyga told the "Ludiej Bajkala" portal, future draftees have several options in this situation. One of the most popular is documenting a condition with a doctor preventing active service. This option is especially sought by older draftees.

This year's resistance to the autumn draft is particularly significant. This is primarily due to the Ukrainian offensive in August on Kursk Oblast, where hundreds of draftees lost their lives. Due to their low status, they do not have the right to refuse to be sent to the border area. Moreover, in case of death during such service, their families are not entitled to substantial military compensation.