Legislators from the Fair Russia – For Truth faction in the State Duma are moving to introduce a bill that would pause military conscription for all teachers and rural doctors. Reported by Lenta.ru through the party’s press channel, the proposal reflects growing worries about maintaining essential public services in remote communities and the impact that staffing gaps can have on daily life in those areas.
According to faction leader Sergei Mironov, conditions in many settlements have reached a tipping point, a concern reinforced by letters arriving from multiple regions. The bill aims to protect frontline professionals in education and health care from being drafted, ensuring schools and clinics remain staffed even when personnel on duty might be called to join the military.
Mironov stressed that mobilizing a doctor or teacher on duty should not trigger the closure of a school, hospital, or clinic. Instead, he urged safeguards to preserve these institutions so communities do not lose access to critical services. He also highlighted ongoing shortages that persist in urban centers, noting that the uneven distribution of qualified professionals adds pressure on cities as well as rural regions.
Meanwhile, on August 1, deputies from the New People party introduced a bill in the lower house proposing a pause in military service for fathers of children under three. The measure would also grant deferrals for fathers who care for children with disabilities under 18, arguing that family responsibilities deserve consideration in the conscription process and that support systems are needed to maintain child welfare alongside national service obligations.
First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, Alexei Zhuravlev, told Vedomosti that a broader reform might involve raising the conscription age to 40 or even 50. The proposal reflects ongoing debates about balancing national security needs with social and demographic factors, including the practicalities of sustaining a capable reserve while acknowledging changing workforce patterns and demands on public services.
Earlier discussions from the Ministry of Digital Development proposed a deferral for IT professionals who do not hold higher education. This idea would recognize the growing role of tech expertise in the economy and public administration, while also addressing concerns about the availability of skilled IT workers who contribute to state digital initiatives and national competitiveness. [Citation: Ministry communications, 2024]