As the Russians continue their efforts to capture Bakhmut and suffer significant manpower losses, Russia has hastily approved an e-conscription system, which clearly shows the difficulty of gathering soldiers for fighting in Ukraine, writes Reuters.
Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov informed on Wednesday, the 12th of April, that the extremely important law is intended to solve problems in Russian conscription centers. The new law is tougher than September’s decree on partial mobilization, the implementation of which in reality was fragmented and varied from region to region. In September, draftees’ summonses were only considered valid from the moment they received them in physical form, allowing them to avoid conscription simply by avoiding receiving a summons.
Now the draft notice will be hard to miss as it will be delivered to Gosuslugi, a Russian online service platform that is used for a variety of everyday purposes, from enrolling children in school to making doctor’s appointments and paying taxes. What’s more, the new law stipulates that any potential
recruit who ignores the digital summons will be legally declared a fugitive after seven days,
barred from leaving Russia, and have their assets frozen.
The new law was announced as a renewed attempt to increase the size of Russian military personnel in Ukraine, where experts say Moscow’s much-vaunted winter offensive has fizzled out with no visible gains.
Western analysts believe that the new wave of
conscription is fueled by heavy losses in the months-long battles around Bakhmut, as well as the failed attempt to capture Vuhledar.
In Moscow, posters advertising services in the army can be seen in shops, cafes, and public transport stops. Leaflets are also distributed in the capital.
The Wagner Group is also conducting its own recruitment campaign. Advertising posters can be seen in cities, and mobile recruitment centers have been set up. A six-month contract is offered.
Despite the new law, there is no visible panic like it was in September. There is no noticeable hustle and bustle at the borders, and plane tickets to popular ex-pat destinations such as Armenia and Kazakhstan have not become more expensive or unaffordable.
However, Grigory Sverdlin, head of Go by the Forest, which gives pieces of advice on avoiding conscription, told Reuters that since the new law was passed, there are five to seven times more requests for help every day than before.
Read also: Bakhmut continues to hold; West promises weapons