The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has stated that subpoenas are not issued by email and that recent communications claiming otherwise come from Ukrainian provocateurs. In a Friday evening briefing, May 12, the ministry described the purported tactic as an attempt to pressure the population and harvest personal data from users.
According to a briefing from the National Defense Control Center, sending subpoena notices to military enlistment offices via email is not permitted under Russian law.
“Ukrainian provocateurs are circulating mass emails that pretend to be subpoenas and urge individuals to visit the military registration and enlistment office to confirm their identity,” the report explains.
Officials allege the aim of these posts is to gain illegal access to citizens’ personal information and to apply informational and psychological pressure on Russians.
These messages reportedly contain malware, with the center warning that a ZIP file attached to the email carries the DarkWatchman RAT remote access trojan.
The subpoenas allegedly originate from addresses that mimic legitimate sources, for example, an address pretending to be the Main Directorate of the Military Commissariat of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, and references in the message to be at a military office at a specific time to receive a mobilization order.
Citizens are urged to be cautious, avoid sharing personal data with unverified organizations, and not publish such information in public spaces, according to the ministry.
When and how will the electronic subpoena work?
On April 11, the State Duma passed a law introducing the concept of electronic summons. Once the law is in force, subpoenas will be delivered electronically in written form and issued in two copies.
Traditional methods of delivering subpoenas by personal delivery or through an employer will continue, and are now supplemented by registered mail and submissions via the Government Services portal.
An electronic summons is considered served from the moment it is delivered to the citizen’s personal account.
From the moment service is deemed complete, the recipient is prohibited from leaving Russia. The restriction can be lifted once the individual appears in the military register and registry office.
Conscript status and other restrictions may be imposed, including limitations on registering as an individual entrepreneur or self-employed, suspension of real estate state registration, vehicle registration issues, and potential credit denials.
military enrollment reform
Under the new law, enrollment and removal from the military register can be done without a personal visit to the commissariat. Citizens will be informed via the Military Registry Book through the State Services portal.
Civilians listed for military service can receive subpoenas to verify information even if they are not physically present.
A public record of issued (delivered) summons will be created automatically from data supplied by the Military Registry.
By the end of April, Saint Petersburg military enrollment offices had begun sending notices to individuals responsible for military service, warning of restrictions if they fail to appear.
Observers noted that the back of the summons still references earlier guidance that noncompliance could carry punitive implications.
Andrey Biryukov, head of the Main Organization and Mobilization Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, stated that electronic summons would not be implemented.
“It should be clear that all postponements currently in place for citizens remain in effect. Citizens of military age will not receive electronic subpoenas from fans. The unified electronic military record register is designed to simplify interactions between citizens and military authorities.”
— Attribution: official statements and ministry briefings compiled for public safety and regulatory clarity (Citations: National Defense Control Center, State Duma records, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces).