Maksut Shadayev, head of Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, discussed the military records system being developed at the direction of the Defense Ministry.
He noted that the exact launch date will be set after the law on digitizing military records is enacted. The bill received the State Duma’s approval on April 11 and was adopted by the Federation Council on April 12, after which it proceeds to the president for signature.
“It will probably not be possible to run the registry before the autumn draft begins,” the minister said, referring to the period from November 1 to December 31.
The law will take effect on the day it is officially published. Until the electronic record is established, transactions described in the law will be completed as before the system goes live.
Why is a registry needed?
Shadayev explained that the law aims to organize information about enrolled citizens and keep it updated online. Lawmakers expect greater transparency in the military registration process.
With the new system, Russians will no longer need to report changes in marital status, residence permits, workplaces, or education directly to military registration offices. Individuals turning 17 won’t be required to visit a draft office to enroll; all information will appear in their personal account on the federal portal.
“Employers and educational institutions will also be relieved from providing a full set of change notices, moving to annual reporting through the State Services portal,” the department head stated.
Will delays be shown?
In the personal account on the portal, a user can verify the military registration office they are affiliated with and whether a deferment is applicable. If the State Services portal shows no deferment but evidence exists, a user can request corrections by attaching supporting documents. Appeals will be processed within five days in a prioritized manner.
Legislators expect that requiring timely responses from those with deferments will significantly reduce enrollment backlogs. Shadayev stressed that invitations to service should reach those who meet the criteria.
Is this connected to mobilization?
The official clarified that creating the record is not linked to a potential new mobilization wave. “On the contrary, the current focus is on recruiting contract soldiers voluntarily. Many regions have started actively advertising the option of serving on a contract basis,” Shadayev stated.
Notifications
On the Gosuslugi portal, users will be able to disable notifications about published agendas in their personal accounts. However, some messages indicating restrictions will always be delivered. The law provides for electronic copies of subpoenas via the State Services portal, with a delivery method also possible by registered mail. If a summons is not served, it is considered served seven days after it is recorded in the summons log.
If a citizen cannot attend a military registration office for a legitimate reason, the portal can be used to report the absence.
Comments from the co-author of the bill
Andrey Kartapolov, chair of the Defense Committee in the lower house and a co-author of the amendments, explained the process if a call is missed during the spring or autumn drafts. He described the system as capable of issuing duplicate notices by mail and ensuring action on the next call. He noted that the individual must appear at the military commissariat within two weeks after the start of the next call.
If the conscript does not appear within 14 days, an electronic or paper warning is issued concerning the restrictions. The first consequence is travel restrictions, and if there is no voluntary attendance within 20 days, further restrictions follow. The bill specifies that travel restrictions take effect on the day a summons is deemed served and remain in place until the obligation to report is fulfilled.
Russians living abroad are allowed to submit the required documents electronically to the military registry after receiving a summons via the State Services portal. It is suggested that if someone is on vacation in Russia, they should still visit the draft office, present the necessary documents, and continue with their work obligations abroad as appropriate. The deputy also advised interested individuals to consider taking a leave of absence for service if they are subject to conscription.
What does the Kremlin think?
Peskov, the president’s press secretary, commented that initial private recruitment actions revealed some chaos in enlistment offices. He described the bill as a remedy designed to fix those issues and to modernize the process so it is efficient and convenient for citizens. He noted that the Duma moved quickly because these documents are highly important. He encouraged further clarification from the Duma if needed.
Peskov argued that the military registration system should be modernized and should call forward those who are obligated to serve. He reminded that serving in the army is a constitutional duty for citizens.