The head of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, approved an official list detailing medical conditions that prevent citizens deemed fit only for limited service from signing a contract to serve in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during mobilization, a state of martial law, or periods of active conflict. The authoritative order was published on an internet portal dedicated to legal information, marking the formal articulation of medical criteria used to filter applicants for contract service in extraordinary national security circumstances.
The enumerated conditions cover a range of infectious, chronic, and serious health issues. Included are infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, active respiratory tuberculosis without antibiotic release and with Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure, as well as complications from surgical treatment of respiratory tuberculosis that involve second-degree respiratory impairment. These stipulations reflect a policy framework that weighs public health risk and the capacity to fulfill demanding duties during mobilization or wartime operations.
The list further encompasses active tuberculosis that is localized to the spine, bones and joints, and extrapulmonary sites including genitourinary organs, among other off-chest or extrathoracic localizations. It also includes malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic, and related tissues that are slowly progressive or prone to rare exacerbations. The policy aims to ensure that personnel serving in high-intensity environments meet certain health thresholds to minimize medical emergencies and maintain unit readiness under stress.
Additionally, the order excludes individuals with type 1 diabetes, those with mental health disorders linked to substance use, epilepsy in cases with frequent seizures, and individuals who have suffered a stroke from entering into a contract for service. The health criteria are designed to balance medical safety, mission effectiveness, and the logistical realities of sustaining a capable force during national security events.
In public remarks from September 3, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, it was noted that, as of January 1, 2023, roughly 280 thousand people had been recruited into contract service within the Russian Armed Forces. This statistic sheds light on the scale of professional military manpower and the ongoing processes by which the armed forces assess and integrate medically eligible personnel into contractual duty during periods of renewed focus on defense readiness. The figures are often discussed in the context of broader reforms and strategic planning that aim to sustain personnel levels while navigating health-related eligibility constraints within the population.
Earlier statements by President Vladimir Putin have touched on the future trajectory of the Russian army, reflecting on strategic priorities, modernization, and the role of conscription versus contract service in shaping military capacity. These discussions underscore the government’s emphasis on maintaining a trained, mission-ready force capable of operating under various security scenarios while aligning with international considerations and domestic policy goals. The medical criteria now codified help inform the practical aspects of recruitment, deployment, and the management of healthcare resources across the armed forces in a volatile security environment. The evolution of this policy continues to be watched closely by defense analysts and health professionals who assess its implications for both personnel welfare and national defense strategy. (Source: legal information portal / attribution required)