The draft law on raising the draft age for men who obtain Russian citizenship drew back its sponsors, according to officials from the State Duma. The information came from Alexei Zhuravlev, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, who reported the withdrawal of signatures to RIA News.
According to Zhuravlev, the authors will continue to work on the proposal as part of a broader effort to refine the legislation. He stressed that the task now is to “develop legal formulations” so that any changes can be implemented in a clear and enforceable manner. He added that fellow lawmakers recognize the existence of the issue and are prepared to address it through careful drafting rather than quick, ad hoc changes.
Earlier, on February 2, amendments to the law titled “On Military Duty and Military Service” were presented to the State Duma. The proposed changes would raise the maximum age for conscription among men who have obtained Russian citizenship. The initiative’s authors are deputies Alexei Zhuravlev, Alexander Boroday, and Mikhail Sheremet. Advocates of the measure argue that newly naturalized citizens often delay or avoid registering for military service, creating gaps in the process and potential risks for national defense planning. The authors emphasize the need to ensure that citizenship status is accompanied by timely and obligatory military registration where applicable.
Andrei Kartapolov, who chairs the State Duma Defense Committee, commented that the bill deserves a thorough review in partnership with the Ministry of Defense and other relevant agencies. This points to a broader legislative process in which draft provisions undergo detailed scrutiny, impact assessments, and possible revisions before any final vote.
In recent months, there have been several public discussions about the timing of conscription for new citizens and how the law should be applied in practice. Observers note that immigration and naturalization trends can intersect with military policy, highlighting the importance of legislative clarity to avoid misinterpretations and administrative bottlenecks. As the debate progresses, stakeholders are watching to see how the proposed age threshold might be calibrated to align with defense needs while respecting lawful pathways to citizenship. The process reflects a balance between national security considerations and the practicalities of integrating newcomers into civil obligations.
Overall, the conversation around the legislation underscores ongoing efforts to modernize military conscription rules in a way that matches current demographic and immigration dynamics. The next steps involve detailed study and consultations, with the ultimate goal of producing a coherent framework that explains the responsibilities of new citizens without creating undue administrative complexity. This approach aims to provide predictable rules for both citizens and the state, ensuring that military service obligations are clear and enforceable while maintaining fairness in application across different cohorts of newcomers.