Putin’s New Law Shifts Burden to Police
A recently enacted law signed by Vladimir Putin now requires Russian police to conduct preventive outreach with individuals dodging military service. This move comes directly after the failure of Russia’s electronic registry for conscripts, which was supposed to streamline enforcement. According to expert Ivan Chuvilyayev, the system was never properly linked with other government agencies, making it nearly impossible to impose automatic restrictions on those avoiding the draft.
The online conscript database, officially launched in July of last year, has proven largely ineffective.
Since the registry went live, for every ten people barred from leaving the country, roughly a hundred with active summons have successfully departed. Border guards, Rosfinmonitoring, and other agencies simply cannot access the system. As a result, the automated penalties that should be triggered are never applied.- Ivan Chuvilyayev
Mobilization Goals Face Major Hurdles
Typically, military enlistment offices and the military prosecutor’s office handle conscripts. But when it comes to evaders, police are limited to visiting the addresses listed in the registry and reporting that these individuals have failed to fulfill their duty to the state.
All they can do is go to the addresses on file and inform that so-and-so hasn’t met their obligation. But what if no one actually lives at the registered address? In practice, they probably won’t even bother visiting—they’ll just send spam messages via messenger apps.- Ivan Chuvilyayev
Meanwhile, reports indicate preparations for another mobilization wave in Russia. The country’s political leadership has ordered an increase in the occupation force by at least tens of thousands to offset heavy losses among Russian troops in occupied territories. Since early 2026, Russians summoned to enlistment offices for data verification have been pressured into signing mobilization orders.
In summary, both the new law and the failures of the digital conscript registry highlight how Russian authorities are struggling to meet mobilization targets and maintain control over the draft process.
These developments underscore mounting pressure on the Russian government amid rising military casualties, pushing it to seek new ways to enforce conscription. The electronic registry’s shortcomings point to systemic problems in managing military resources, which could further hinder achieving mobilization objectives. It is also worth noting that intensifying the crackdown on draft dodgers may fuel social unrest in a society where many are actively trying to avoid being called up.
The recent legislative changes highlight a growing trend in the Kremlin's approach to military service enforcement. As the government grapples with the challenges of conscription, it has also introduced measures to assist those on the front lines. For instance, debt relief for war participants signifies a significant shift in support for military personnel, aiming to alleviate financial burdens during wartime. This dual strategy reflects the complex dynamics of Russia’s current mobilization efforts.