The Federation Council approved legislation establishing a unified registry of military records and electronic summons, as reported by TASS. The measure enables official notifications to be delivered electronically to individuals subject to military service obligations and tightens the consequences for those who receive summons but fail to appear at the military registration and enlistment office.
The bill received broad approval, with 163 senators voting in favor and a single vote against it.
Earlier, on April 11, the State Duma adopted amendments at both the second and third readings, creating the framework for a consolidated electronic register of military personnel and electronic summons. The approval came despite some lawmakers voicing concerns that they did not have adequate time to review the substantial 60-page changes in detail.
Maksut Shadayev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation, stated that the unified register of individuals responsible for military service would not be launched before the autumn draft of 2023. The chairman of the Human Rights Council, an entity chaired by Russian President Valery Fadeev, indicated that the ministry and legislators would address questions about electronic summons in due course.
During a press briefing, Dmitry Peskov, the presidential press secretary, noted that the bill on electronic subpoenas is intended to streamline military registration for Russian citizens and to reduce the confusion currently observed in the military registration and recruitment offices. He emphasized that the aim is to make the process more efficient and straightforward for ordinary citizens while preserving the necessary governance and accountability mechanisms.
Analysts observe that moving toward a centralized, digitized system could impact how service obligations are tracked across regions, potentially simplifying compliance for those entering or renewing their service requirements. Observers also point out that the reforms may affect the operational workflow of regional military offices, the cadence of summons issuance, and the accuracy of service records accumulated over time. Proponents argue that digital tools can enhance transparency and reduce bureaucratic delays, while critics caution about privacy safeguards and the need for clear regulatory oversight in a system handling sensitive personal data. (Source: TASS)