The Supreme Court clarified what military draft evasion means

Avoidance of conscription for military service means failure to appear without a good reason for a medical examination, psychological selection and a meeting of the draft board. This is stated in the decision of the Plenum of the Supreme Court.

“At the same time, criminal liability arises if the conscript thus intends to avoid imposing on him the obligation to carry out military service on conscription,” the document says.

This may be evidenced by repeated failure to appear without good reason at the military registration and enlistment office, as well as failure to appear at the military registration and enlistment office after the expiration of the valid reason, specified in the resolution. Valid reasons include illness, a serious state of health of a family member, a circumstance beyond the control of a citizen, etc.

The Supreme Court clarified that when deciding on the guilt of a citizen in draft evasion, the court must establish “the fact of proper notification of the conscript” about his appearance at the military registration and enlistment office. If the court considers the reason for the failure to appear valid, then the conscript will be acquitted.

In April, the State Duma accepted a law that introduces a new digital system of military registration when conscripting citizens for military service. According to the law, summons to those liable for military service will be sent in writing and duplicated in electronic form at the State Services.

The electronic summons will be considered delivered at the time of its placement in the personal account on the State Services. In case of non-appearance on the agenda, a number of restrictions are imposed on the citizen, including a ban on driving a car and making transactions with their real estate. Also, those who received the summons will not be able to leave Russia until they appear at the military registration and enlistment office. May 17 Head of the Ministry of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev declaredthat the register of persons liable for military service will start working for the autumn draft.