- Russian President Vladimir Putin signs new electronic military draft system
- The new system aims to curb the number of people dodging a draft or fleeing the country to avoid militarization
- Residents could face restrictions if they ignore the call-up, including on banking, property sale, and acquisition of a driver's license
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new restriction military draft system into law that aims to reduce the number of conscripts dodging the process or fleeing the country to avoid militarization.
The bill's signing on Friday marks the creation of a digital draft system that greatly facilitates mobilizing Russian citizens into the army. The decision comes more than a year after the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin Signs New Electronic Military Draft Bill
The new law will provide a digital conscription notice system that could make dodging the draft nearly impossible. The situation has caused fear among Russia's citizens as the war between Moscow and Kyiv rages on for a second year. Earlier this week, officials rushed the bill through parliament in just two days, as per Alarabiya News.
On the other hand, the Kremlin has argued that it has no plans to conduct another mobilization drive and said that there was nothing unusual about the new bill. The new system would ban draftees from traveling internationally and would be required to report to an enlistment office after receiving electronic call-up papers.
Before the new bill, a draftee would have to receive the call-up papers in person, and many Russians who did not want to fight in the war either ignored the call-up or fled the country.
Tens of thousands of Russian men fled their country last autumn following Putin's announcement of mobilization to bolster his troops in Ukraine. Russian officials will now consider the draft notice to have been received as soon as it is sent out under the new system.
According to NPR, the latest development could have significant implications for the Kremlin's continued war in Ukraine, particularly as it tries to support its military troops ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Penalizing Draft Dodgers
Under the new system, Russian citizens who fail to attend a recruitment office following the call-up could face restrictions related to banking, selling property, and even gaining access to a driver's license.
Before the bill's passing, citizens who refused a call-up already faced a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. Russian lawmakers have made it clear that they will carry out Putin's "partial mobilization" decree that was issued last fall to enlist 300,000 troops for the war against Ukraine.
The situation comes as many Russians raise concerns of chaos, fear, and anger over the potential mobilization of troops. A 51-year-old psychologist, Irina, has a son who is at the age where he can be required to mobilize for the military.
She said they have been expecting the second call-up for a while now and argued that the passing of the new draft system is the beginning of the process. The resident added that the changes have already affected her by causing her to be anxious and uncertain of the future, said CNN.
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