The Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defense has proposed revising the mobilization draft law to include the option of drafting through SMS messages. The draft bill has been submitted to the federal court for consideration on the portal of draft normative acts. The plan aims to formalize a streamlined notification path that can reach citizens quickly as the country prepares for potential mobilization scenarios.
According to the explanatory note accompanying the draft, military commissariats would be empowered to send a summons notification directly to a citizen’s Gosuslug personal account and, in addition, deliver the notice via an SMS to the subscriber’s mobile number. The intent is to ensure that individuals identified as potential draftees receive timely information about their service obligations through multiple channels, reducing delays and improving traceability of the process. This approach signals a shift toward digital administration in the management of military conscription and service eligibility, aligning with broader modernization efforts in public service delivery. [attribution: official draft documentation and government portal communications]
Colonel Andrey Biryukov, the former head of the Main Organization and Mobilization Department in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, remarked that electronic mobilization calls would not be sent in bulk automatically. He emphasized the importance of controlled, targeted communications to avoid inaccuracies and ensure compliance with due process. His remarks reflect a measured approach to the rollout of new electronic notification mechanisms, highlighting concerns about privacy, consent, and the necessity of maintaining orderly procedures when summoning individuals for military service. [attribution: Colonel Biryukov’s public statements cited in official briefings]
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin signed into law measures establishing a unified register of persons responsible for military service and introducing restrictions related to electronic summons and fugitives. The new framework creates a centralized system for tracking individuals subject to conscription and sets safeguards to regulate how notices are issued and verified. The legislation underscores the government’s intent to strengthen oversight, reduce evasion, and improve accountability in the mobilization process, while also addressing administrative and legal boundaries around the use of digital communications in this domain. [attribution: presidential decrees and accompanying legal commentary]