Russia races to pass draft new military rules preventing conscripts from leaving: NPR

Over 200,000 people have reported the service as of this photo in October 2022 under Russian mobilization. The Secretary of Defense instructed Army commanders to provide recruits with the necessary clothing, weapons, and other equipment. But the public complained about the lack of provisions and training of recruits.

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Over 200,000 people have reported the service as of this photo in October 2022 under Russian mobilization. The Secretary of Defense instructed Army commanders to provide recruits with the necessary clothing, weapons, and other equipment. But the public complained about the lack of provisions and training of recruits.

Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to sign a new law cracking down on draft evasion.

Lawmakers rushed the legislation through both houses of Parliament this week.

This could have major ramifications for the Kremlin’s war plans in Ukraine, especially as it tries to bolster Russian forces in anticipation of a Ukrainian counterattack.

Here are some key points.

Recruits are prohibited from leaving the country

At a basic level, the new law makes it very difficult for Russians—mostly men but also women with specialized skills—to avoid being drafted or drafted.

Until now, military recruiting officers had to go in person to deliver paper summons to the recruit’s home or workplace.

This system will now be replaced by electronic notifications – that is, emails – issued through systems including web portals that Russians use to pay utility bills, taxes and other services.

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An electronic notice will be binding from the moment the government receives the transmission.

And with the new law, conscripts are immediately banned from leaving the country.

Those who fail to show up to the employment office immediately will soon face a host of new restrictions related to banking, selling real estate and even obtaining a driver’s license.

Before the reform, people who refused military service orders faced a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years.

The Kremlin has learned from the mobilization incidents

Kremlin officials and lawmakers have made it clear they see the law as a response to problems with implementation Putin’s “partial mobilization” decree last fall to call up 300,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

It provided front line reinforcements, but also drove hundreds of thousands of Russians to flee the country to avoid conscription. Many other citizens evaded in-state service by changing their address or simply claiming they had not seen the draft notice.

Supporters of the new law said it was time to close the loopholes that allowed for some mishaps of mobilization last year.

Provisions preventing draft evaders from selling or transferring property, in particular, target Russians who have fled abroad from cashing in.

Military conscripts who come to serve in the framework of mobilization in October 2022 are seen off by the Russians.

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Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Military conscripts who come to serve in the framework of mobilization in October 2022 are seen off by the Russians.

Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The law is not a new mobilization order, but the military is seeking to reinforce it

The Kremlin insists that the new law in no way indicates a “second wave” of mobilization for Ukraine, but Some experts skeptical.

The government’s summoning of more Russians to the fight ultimately hinges on what happens in the coming months—particularly as Ukraine prepares to launch a counteroffensive to retake occupied territory.

In recent months, the military has focused on recruiting volunteers, offering contract soldiers much higher salaries to fight in Ukraine – Up to $2,600 per monthwhich is a huge amount for Russians from small towns or rural areas.

The authorities seem aware of how unpopular last year’s mobilization campaign was. It sparked nationwide protests, and a series of public complaints that recruits lacked the equipment and training for battle – grievances often aired by citizens. Public videos. Even President Putin made a rare admission that “mistakes” Manufactured.

Russia continues to struggle to achieve its military objectives in Ukraine – where it has suffered heavy losses and failed to take territory that Moscow illegally claimed it annexed last fall.

Amid those setbacks, the Defense Department said in December that it plans to increase in size From the military by 30% to 1.5 million soldiers. This meant adding several hundred thousand troops to the existing ranks on top of contract volunteers.