Russia, Putin signs law strengthening conscription
The Russian President has drafted the amendments that will change the recruitment regulations and make them more mandatory for conscripts: the decree came into force with immediate effect. Going forward, under the new rules, draft cards will no longer have to be handed in in person but can be sent electronically, and conscripts registered online will no longer be allowed to leave Russia until they appear before recruiting commissions. Moscow’s parliament approved the law in a very quick vote on Wednesday, leaving some MPs complaining they don’t have time to properly read the more than 50 pages of the law. Last fall, hundreds of thousands of Russians fled abroad after a chaotically organized first wave of mobilization. Other Russians avoided conscription by not living at their place of residence, so that the notice of termination, which was only valid in letter form, could not be delivered. The Russian leadership is now closing this gap with this change. Anyone who does not report to the military commissariat within 20 days of being summoned must also deal with drastic restrictions in everyday life: Conscientious objectors are no longer allowed to drive a car or buy real estate. –