New draft rules leave Russians scrambling to avoid service
1:02 PM EDT, August 15, 2024
In Russia, another autumn military draft is approaching, and this time, it will be decidedly different from before. New rules will tighten the call-ups to the army. The first summons 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 a lot of talk, especially about the first call-ups after the conflict broke out, as summons were handed out to random passersby on the streets at that time.
Over time, people in Russia increasingly began to avoid service or even receiving summons to the army. Therefore, the Kremlin decided to change the draft system, which will function for the first time during this year's autumn draft. What will distinguish it is that it 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 in the case of failing to report to the unit, they will face heavy penalties. It's no wonder that many potential draftees are already looking for ways to avoid service.
Russians are mass searching for ways to avoid the draft
As lawyer Artem Klyga told the "Ludiej Bajkala" portal, future draftees have several options. One of the most popular is to document a condition with a doctor that prevents active service. This option is especially dedicated to older draftees.
This year's resistance to the autumn draft is particularly large. This is primarily due to the Ukrainian offensive in August on Kursk Oblast, in which hundreds of draftees lost their lives. Because of their low status, they do not have the right to refuse to be sent to the border area. Moreover, in the case of death during such service, their families are not entitled to high military compensation.
Draftees are rather disenfranchised military staff. Formally, they can be sent to combat zones, but they must first undergo training in military specialties and mandatory military service lasting at least four months. [...] If a person has already found themselves in the combat zone, they can only desert. There is no other way to refuse service: a soldier is obliged to follow orders," said the lawyer.
