New rules for conscription into military service in Russia will be implemented beginning April 1, 2025, as the State Duma has recently adopted amendments to the law governing military duty and service. The new regulations aim to alleviate some of the issues faced by potential conscripts and streamline the conscription process.
Andrey Kartapolov, the head of the State Duma Defense Committee, shared that the significant changes are in direct response to the logistical challenges experienced during previous drafts. For instance, during last spring's conscription campaign, over 11,600 draft decisions were annulled. This means that numerous citizens had to return to military commissariats for re-evaluation during the fall conscription period, creating strain for both conscripts and military officials.
Under the new rules, individuals deemed fit for service but not dispatched during the spring will automatically be sent to the military in the subsequent autumn draft—bypassing the redundancy of undergoing repeated medical examinations or procedures unless their health status has changed. This update is projected to facilitate the process and reduce unnecessary expenses for the government.
In a significant shift, the validity of decisions made by draft commissions will now extend to a full year, allowing individuals who could not be conscripted due to logistical restraints to be reassigned quickly during the next draft cycle. Kartapolov emphasized the need for these changes as a means of enhancing efficiency and reducing costs associated with the current draft system, which has previously required a cumbersome re-evaluation process.
These amendments come against the backdrop of broader updates to Russia's military conscription regulations. For example, the age for conscripts was raised from 27 to 30 years in 2024, a change believed to help include more experienced individuals in the military.
A new system for notifications is also set to be introduced. Military commissariats aim to utilize electronic summons via the federal portal 'Gosuslugi', marking a modern approach towards notifying civilians about their conscription obligations. The summons will be regarded as delivered once it appears in a conscript's personal account, and failure to appear without valid reasons could result in significant penalties, such as restrictions on property transactions and acquiring driver's licenses.
The upcoming spring draft will start on April 1, 2025, and run until mid-July, with the autumn draft planned to follow from October 1 to December 31. While the use of electronic notifications is likely to be more prevalent, traditional paper notifications will still be supported until the new digital system is fully operational.
Moreover, Kartapolov mentioned the ongoing extension of professions eligible for alternative civilian service, which has been broadened from 238 to 266 to include roles such as postal workers, fish farmers, and gardeners. Some professions, particularly those involving health risks, remain excluded.
The legislative changes were overwhelmingly approved in the Duma's first reading, signaling the government’s commitment to reforming military service practices to enhance the overall efficiency and to better serve the needs of citizens. These updates not only streamline the conscription process but are intended to facilitate a fairer system for those who are mandated to serve.
In summary, the new rules aim to address longstanding inefficiencies in military conscription while planning for a future restructuring of how citizens are summoned for service. As military service evolves, it appears that the Russian government is attempting to implement measures that resonate more closely with the realities faced by its potential servicemen.
