Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law allowing electronic summons to the army for Russian citizens. This law involves the creation of a unified register of individuals liable for military service and introduces new ways of notifying conscripts. Previously, conscripts were only notified in person or through their employer, but now they can receive their summons by registered mail, through the State Services portal, or through the MFC in electronic form. The military commissariats will be responsible for maintaining the digital register of military records, which will store all personal information about those liable for military service. This includes their place of residence, place of actual stay, place of work, state of health, and other data. Information will be transferred to the register by various government departments, such as medical institutions, educational institutions, the tax service, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to the new law, draft summons will be considered handed in from the moment its electronic copy is posted in the individual's "personal account" on the "Gosuslugi" portal. From that moment, the individual will be prohibited from leaving the country until they appear at the draft board. If they fail to appear on the agenda within 20 calendar days, they may face additional restrictions, such as a ban on registering as an individual entrepreneur, registering real estate, driving a car, or concluding a loan agreement.
State Duma Deputy Andrey Kartapolov previously stated that the law on electronic summonses would not apply to the spring draft in 2023. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reassured the population that the adoption of the bill on electronic subpoenas should not cause panic or lead to a new wave of emigration. Instead, the new law is designed to streamline the conscription of military servicemen. When asked whether electronic subpoenas would be sent to the Gosuslug portal in the event of a second wave of mobilization, Peskov said that "there is no second wave."
The new law on electronic summons to the Russian army is expected to modernize and simplify the process of conscription. The use of digital technology is becoming increasingly common in various areas of government and society, and the military sector is no exception. The creation of a digital register of individuals liable for military service will make it easier for military commissariats to keep track of conscripts and ensure that they fulfill their duty to the country.
The ability to receive electronic summons through various channels, such as registered mail or the State Services portal, is expected to make the process more convenient for conscripts, especially those who live in remote areas. The use of electronic notifications will also reduce the likelihood of mistakes or misunderstandings in the notification process, which can sometimes occur when conscripts are notified in person or through their employer.
However, the law also introduces new restrictions on conscripts who fail to appear at the draft board within 20 calendar days of receiving their summons. These restrictions, such as a ban on registering real estate or concluding a loan agreement, are designed to encourage conscripts to fulfill their duty to the country. However, some people have expressed concerns that these restrictions could be excessive or unfair, especially if a conscript has a legitimate reason for not being able to appear at the draft board within the allotted time.
The law's exemption of the spring draft in 2023 has also raised questions about the government's intentions and the possibility of a second wave of mobilization. Some people have speculated that the government may be preparing for a potential conflict or crisis that could require a significant increase in military personnel. However, the government has denied these claims and emphasized that the law is simply intended to improve the efficiency of the conscription process.
Overall, the introduction of electronic summons to the Russian army is part of a larger trend towards the use of digital technology in government and society. While the law may face some challenges and criticisms, it is likely to make the conscription process more convenient and efficient for both conscripts and military commissariats. However, it will be important for the government to ensure that the law's restrictions on conscripts who fail to appear at the draft board are fair and reasonable
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