Partial mobilization in Russia: who, how and when to call? Answers to the main questions from a lawyer

In his speech on the morning of September 21, Vladimir Putin declared a partial mobilization from today.

“I consider it necessary to support the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff’s proposal for partial mobilization in Syria in order to protect our homeland, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to ensure the safety of our people and our people in the liberated lands. Russian Federation,” said the President of Russia.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that currently around 300 thousand reservists are subject to conscription (“1% of mobilization resources”), that mobilization will not affect students; conscripts; with a registered certificate; employees at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex.

Who, how and when to be summoned? We are dealing with Ruslan Koblev, founder of Koblev and Partners Law Firm, a lawyer with over 25 years of experience.

Who will be called specifically?

The text of the decree does not include the abbreviation VUS (military registration specialties), which means they will be listed in an ordinance. In general, this is the partial mobilization that Russian law has long envisioned. In ordinary life, every state has such legislation.

What is partial mobilization? With reservations for Sergei Shoigu, persons who have previously completed both contract and fixed-term military service and have certain military enrollment specialties are subject to conscription.

The person serving has a military ID and is registered, for example, as a gunner. If the order requires, for example, the conscription of 20 thousand persons with the corresponding VUS, then this falls within the scope of conscription.

“First of all, they can mobilize soldiers, journeymen and warrants until the age of 35, and officers up to the age of 45. Graduates of military departments can be called up for mobilization if their military specialization is in demand, ”- chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, former deputy head of the Ministry of Defense Andrei Kartapolov.

It all depends on whom, in what position and in what rank you served before. Call categories are divided into queues. For example, if reserve soldiers of the first category are called now, they can be called according to their age. The third category is people under the age of 60. Those in the reserve, in addition to their specialization, also have a rank – private or sergeant, etc. – determines the call.

Do not confuse partial mobilization with military service, where 18-year-olds are regularly called up twice a year – as they were called (that’s 125 thousand on average), they will continue to be called. But they are called for training – during this year they receive military specialties. Contractors and recruits are different categories.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin established additional payments for those mobilized in Moscow, – TASS.

“As in any state, they will conditionally call residents of rural areas, regions, no matter how cynical it may sound. All the residents of “Patricks” never served, because their procrastination, work, etc. they have and they don’t have VUS – I’m exaggerating, but that’s in 90% of cases. Therefore, at this stage, they are unlikely to be threatened by anything. Firstly, the military does not need them because they do not know how (modern warfare is high-tech), and secondly, they lack experience and high-tech. The rate of non-servers in big cities is much higher than in rural areas. And there are regions where military service is so popular until now that if in Moscow everyone is trying to hang out, then in the same Caucasus there were cases when they were bribed, called on the contrary.

Who is not eligible?

With partial mobilization, restrictions remain, in which the parents of four children are not subject to conscription; men with a wife who is at least 22 weeks pregnant; convicted of serious crimes; caring for relatives and friends of people with disabilities in group I. But this is also adjustable.

Now we need to learn the main thing: this is not conscription for emergency conscription, but mobilization, which is subject to 300 thousand people in military specialties. Only those with experience and VUS.

Who will get the deferment?

“The government will determine as soon as possible the categories of citizens who will receive a suspension from mobilization,” said Dmitry Peskov.

How is the recruitment process going?

“Agendas within the framework of partial mobilization will not be sent through the State Services. The necessary legal framework for this is missing” – Ministry of Digital Development.

What happens if I don’t come?

Failure to do so will result in criminal liability. In the third reading, a law was adopted on the introduction of new regulations to the penal code, including avoidance of draft and avoidance of mobilization.

Military doctors, are women subject to compulsory military service?

If necessary, people with the appropriate APU – yes. But each such case is individual.

Can I go on a planned vacation?

If there is no agenda and you have not been summoned yet, you must be taken abroad – in this case there is no reason to close the exit.

“No new restrictions on travel abroad have been introduced” – Rostourism.

“For those subject to mobilization, there will be statements about the possibility of closing the borders,” Dmitry Peskov said.

How likely is the scenario of continued martial law in the country?

The scenario of the development of events with martial law is no longer realistic. If it can be promoted, then mostly to maintain order in the border areas and provide more opportunities for local governments and the Ministry of Defense.

“There was no decision to change the status of the NMD and declare martial law,” Dmitry Peskov said.

First of all, those who are in reserve, have combat experience and have the necessary VUS will be called. What does “first” mean? Will it be the second?

Let’s say they called 300,000 people who will die tomorrow. Then the second turn, third, fourth and more are subject to a call. When at a certain moment it is the turn of the 60-year-olds, as during the Great Patriotic War. There are call queues. If there is another category, why call people who are now conditionally no longer age-appropriate?

Now they said about 300,000 reserves – this is a partial mobilization. The entire mobilization reserve is, say, one and a half million people. Why mobilize the male population only when it is not needed? Then, in theory, the second phase could begin when 300,000 more are needed.