Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved a decree that changes how medical checks are conducted for Russians who voluntarily sign up for military service under contract. The new rule replaces the previous two-stage process with a streamlined, single-stage medical examination. This adjustment is intended to speed up the enlistment workflow while still ensuring that contract servicemen meet the required medical standards. The change was reported by TASS and reflected in the official regulatory document outlining the revised procedure.
Under the previous system, contract entrants went through a two-step medical review. First came a preliminary assessment at the local military registration and enlistment office, followed by a more comprehensive evaluation at a regional examination point. The decree specifies that the medical check now happens in one consolidated stage, which reduces the time and organizational overhead associated with processing new contract personnel. This modernization aligns medical screening with operational demands and aims to minimize delays while maintaining proper health clearance for service members.
The decree also clarifies the responsibility for medical diagnostics. Contract soldiers are guaranteed access to essential diagnostic procedures in state medical institutions. The exact path depends on the rank and role: officers follow the instructions issued by municipal military registration and enlistment offices, while soldiers, sergeants, and warrant officers are guided by the heads of the selected intake points. The emphasis is on standardized medical standards and timely testing to support the readiness of personnel who enter service under contractual terms.
In a separate development discussed in parliament, a draft law introduced on January 12 sought to broaden the eligibility criteria for foreign nationals to contract with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The bill explored allowing individuals with a criminal record to enter into service contracts. If enacted, the measure would change the composition of the ranks by opening limited opportunities for non-citizens to serve under contract, subject to legal and security considerations. The discussion underscores ongoing debates about manpower needs, national security, and the role of foreign participation in the military domain.
Earlier in the year, president Vladimir Putin signed another decree aimed at simplifying citizenship pathways for certain foreigners and their families. The policy makes it possible for foreign citizens who sign a one-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces during a period described as a special military operation to pursue a simplified route to Russian citizenship. Families of those foreign personnel would also be eligible under the same process, broadening the potential demographic mix of new citizens connected to military service. The measure is framed within broader immigration and national integration strategies, with the goal of aligning military recruitment incentives with long-term residency prospects for some participants.
These developments come against a backdrop of ongoing discussions about nondiscrimination in recruitment for military service. The regulatory changes and proposed amendments reflect a balance between ensuring consistent medical and safety standards for all contract personnel and addressing the practical realities of manpower and organizational efficiency. While the government emphasizes streamlined processes and expanded pathways for eligible foreigners, observers note that governance in this area requires careful attention to legal, ethical, and security considerations. The evolving policy landscape illustrates how military recruitment, health clearance, and citizenship pathways intersect with broader state objectives, including workforce readiness and social cohesion within the nation’s armed forces.