In St. Petersburg, the acting military commissar, Marat Urmansov, addressed a regional government meeting to outline tightened consequences for draft evaders. He reported that individuals who fail to respond to an electronic summons and leave Russia will be barred from departure within 20 days from the summons appearing in the official register. This move, he explained, is part of broader efforts to ensure timely and orderly conscription, a directive that aligns with ongoing press coverage by Fontanka, a local information outlet cited by authorities.
Urmansov added that private soldiers who lack a valid deferment and have not been summoned during their service must personally visit the military commissariat to confirm their registration information within two weeks from the start of their service. He described the forthcoming period of military service as mandatory, underscoring the state’s expectation that every eligible recruit comply with the service timeline and administrative checks that confirm their status and eligibility.
Additionally, the official warned that non-attendance at required service can trigger immediate restrictions on certain civil rights. Specifically, conscripts who skip service may temporarily lose the ability to dispose of real estate and vehicles, and they could also be disqualified from registering as individual entrepreneurs and from accessing certain loan facilities. These penalties are designed to create stronger incentives to appear for duty and to prevent avoidance that could undermine national defense readiness.
The autumn conscription period is scheduled to run from October 1 to December 31, outlining a defined window for recruitment and processing. The timeline mirrors standard practice in many years when regional authorities coordinate with federal defense bodies to register, materialize lists, and complete scheduling for conscripts across multiple districts.
On September 6, Yuri Shvytkin, the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, spoke in the State Duma about ongoing discussions regarding the length of service. He indicated that there were not yet concrete plans to extend the period of compulsory service, noting that conversations continue but no formal decision had been made. The topic remains a focal point for defense policy debates, with lawmakers weighing the public and strategic implications of any potential changes.
Meanwhile, remarks from President Vladimir Putin about the future of the Russian armed forces have circulated in policy circles and public discourse. While specific reforms remain a matter of debate, the government has repeatedly signaled a commitment to maintaining trained personnel and readiness, emphasizing that conscription remains a central mechanism for sustaining the military’s manpower pool. The evolving discussions reflect a balance between defense requirements and wider social considerations, including economic impact and regional administration across the country.