Russians barred from leaving country as digital draft system goes live
Russia has begun to enforce a travel ban on some citizens following the launch of an electronic military service registry and the issuing of e-summonses.
The Moscow Times has reported the first known case, citing the "Border Control" publication, which occurred on 11 September at Sheremetyevo Airport.
A 28-year-old man who had previously evaded military service received an e-summons from the military enlistment office, ordering him to report for a medical check-up. He said the summons website listed a travel ban, but he decided to test whether it was being enforced, as his holiday abroad had been planned since May.
"At passport control at Sheremetyevo, officers were immediately called over without explanation. They told me the ban was in their database and that they could do nothing, adding that this was the first case of its kind related to the new system," the man recounted. Border police also told him the ban could only be lifted by the military enlistment office in person.
Since the summer, military enlistment offices have been adding large numbers of citizens to the electronic military registry and issuing them with e-summonses. The messages sent to those subject to military service instructed them to authenticate themselves and obtain an extract of their data. Lawyers and human rights activists pointed out that this was a large-scale campaign to complete the database ahead of the autumn draft. According to them, this activity suggested the authorities had intended to launch the summons registry in 2025, but have since done so early.
The first e-summonses began arriving for Russians in August of this year. Notifications were sent via the "Gosuslughi" portal and by text message. They specified the travel ban and the date by which the individual had to appear at the military enlistment office. The summonses also included a list of restrictions for draft evaders: a ban on registering a company, obtaining a foreign travel passport, conducting real estate transactions, accessing loans, and receiving self-employed status. In addition, an administrative fine of between 10,000 and 30,000 roubles can be imposed.
The creation of a single digital registry for military service was ordered by President Vladimir Putin after he announced the mobilisation in autumn 2022. Following that mobilisation, various estimates put the number of people who left Russia at between 700,000 and one million. In April 2023, President Putin legally equated e-summonses with paper ones and approved restrictions for draft evaders.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
