In Russia’s constituent Republic of Bashkortostan, parents of conscripts have complained that military unit commanders are coercing their sons into signing contracts with the Ministry of Defense. They appealed to Alfit Nigamatyanov, a member of the republic’s State Assembly from United Russia [Putin’s ruling party]. According to the relatives, commanders promised the conscripts 'privileges and high monetary allowances.' Upon refusal, however, the young men faced pressure, including restricted communication with family, reduced food rations, and psychological harassment from senior soldiers ordered by the unit's colonel. After Nigamatyanov petitioned the Investigative Committee, authorities transferred the officer to a new duty station...
A bill introduced in the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly] could expand the rights of adult children to receive a one-time payment of 5.16 million rubles [$63,100] following a parent’s death during military service. Currently, the law entitles the deceased's spouse, parents, grandparents who served as guardians for at least three years, minor children, children with disabilities and students up to 23 years old to receive the payment. The legislation proposes that in the absence of these family members, adult children would become eligible for the benefit. They do not currently possess this right, an exclusion that has often led to payment denials even though they are the nearest relatives.
On Sept. 29, the federal government submitted its proposal for next year’s budget to the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly]. The document details budgetary plans for 2026 and provides an outlook for 2027 and 2028. Compared to the announcement a week earlier, several items stand out:
Fines for failing to report a change of address to a draft office may soon apply year-round. Several members of the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly], led by its Defense Committee Chairman Andrey Kartapolov, have introduced a bill to remove the phrase "during the conscription period" from Article 21.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Titled "failure by citizens to fulfill their military registration duties," the article currently specifies a fine ranging from 500 to 3,000 rubles [$5-$36]. Authorities previously enforced it only during the spring and fall draft campaigns. However, the State Duma approved a bill in the first reading last week to transition to year-round conscription activities.
In a first reading, the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly] approved a bill that would authorize year-round conscription activities. The Duma's Defense Committee had previously endorsed the measure. According to the proposed legislation, draft offices would gain the authority to summon conscripts, conduct medical evaluations, and review necessary documents at any time during the year. Meanwhile, deployment of recruits to their duty stations would remain confined to the established biannual periods, from April 1 to July 15 and from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. The Voyennye Advokaty [The Military Lawyers] Telegram channel published a detailed review of the bill.
The Russian government endorsed a bill that would strip individuals of their acquired citizenship for evading military registration. Under the proposed legislation, foreigners who become citizens must register for military service. The deadline to register is two weeks for in-person applications and seven days for those filed through the Gosuslugi public services portal. Authorities will classify any new citizen who fails to register or respond to a draft notice within the established timeframe as a draft dodger. The draft office will then have five days to send its findings to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. To reverse the decision, an individual must appear in person at the draft office within 30 days. While endorsing the bill, the...
Russia’s Ministry of Defense has released a draft of an updated list of medical conditions that would bar individuals from military contract service during periods of mobilization, martial law, or wartime. The following were added:
The State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly] has denounced the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and two associated protocols, a move initiated by Vladimir Putin and endorsed by the government. The decision will take formal effect one year after the bill's passage.
The Russian government’s legislative commission endorsed a bill to toughen the penalties for desertion, going AWOL and evading service through malingering. The proposed changes specifically target convicts who were released after signing contracts with the Ministry of Defense, as well as suspects or defendants against whom criminal proceedings were suspended at the request of military command. While the bill has not yet been posted on the website of the State Duma [lower house of Russia’s Federal Assembly], Russian media reports indicate that those convicted of going AWOL could face prison sentences of seven to 12 years. Currently, the maximum sentence for this offense for all military personnel is 10 years. For desertion with a weapon...
For the first time, border guards prevented a man from leaving Russia due to restrictions linked to the Unified Military Register. The 28-year-old said he had never previously received a draft notice. On Sept. 8, however, he was notified of a digital draft notice summoning him for a medical evaluation on Oct. 22. The Draft Register website immediately reflected that he was barred from traveling abroad. Having planned his leave in May, he risked flying. At airport passport control, officials told him the ban appeared in their database—the first such case they had encountered. The Voyennye Advokaty [Military Lawyers] Telegram channel noted that the notification initially failed to specify a draft office, which could indicate a technical...