The State Duma seems poised to overrule a decision tied to a draft law that would arrest participants in a special military operation in Ukraine for possessing electronic devices while on duty. That assessment comes from TASS, referencing the stance of the committee in charge of analyzing the bill in the lower house of Russia’s parliament.
Journalists learned that the committee intends to revisit the bill regulating the use of smartphones and other gadgets in combat zones. The proposed amendments indicate that the ban on carrying devices would not apply to tools that assist soldiers in fulfilling their assigned tasks.
On July 24, deputies in the State Duma approved an amendment recognizing that air defense personnel may carry various devices as part of their service, a charge that could lead to disciplinary consequences. The draft text notes that a service member could be arrested for up to ten days for this infraction.
That same day, Lenta.ru, citing soldiers interviewed by reporters, reported that some units inside the Russian armed forces oppose the deputies’ stance. A detachment commander with the call sign Fenibut expressed strong doubt that anyone involved in the fighting in Ukraine would comply with the prohibition on carrying electronic devices. He argued that gadgets have become a core element of a soldier’s equipment, with communication devices at the top of the list.
Former Deputy of the State Duma Alexey Zhuravlev suggested that smartphones cannot be taken away from participants in the special operation. The evolving discussion highlights a tension between operational needs, discipline, and the evolving role of personal technology in modern military environments.
Experts note that the issue touches on broader questions about how military force interacts with digital tools. For many participants, reliable communication and rapid information sharing are essential. Critics worry about security risks and the potential for distraction when personal devices are present in high-stakes settings. The debate underscores a shift in expectations for both officers and rank-and-file personnel as gadgets become embedded in daily routines, even in conflict zones. As the legislative process continues, observers will watch closely to see if the committee’s revisions align with practical experiences reported by service members and meet the goals of maintaining order while preserving effective operations.
In public discussions, officials emphasize the need for clear guidelines that distinguish between devices that support mission objectives and those that could undermine discipline. The evolving draft suggests a path that recognizes legitimate uses of technology without compromising the chain of command. For now, the military community remains attentive to how these rules will be enforced and what constitutes permissible use in the field, given the rapid pace at which communication technology evolves. Attribution: parliamentary coverage and on-the-ground reporting indicate a complex balance between security, efficiency, and the human aspects of modern warfare.