Russia’s State Duma, the Federal Assembly’s lower house, has passed at first reading a bill that would make military conscription a year-round process instead of the twice-yearly draft now in place.
Lawmakers approved the measure in late September, arguing it will ease pressure on enlistment offices and make the system more efficient, according to local media.
Currently, the draft runs in spring and fall, but if the bill is enacted, medical checks, psychological tests, and draft board sessions would run all year, from January 1 to December 31.
However, recruits would still be sent to units only twice a year — in April to July and October to December.
The legislation also allows draft notices to be issued at any time. Personnel who do not receive a summons must report to their enlistment office within two weeks of the next call-up period to verify their records.
Lawmakers’ Rationale
Defense Committee Chair Andrei Kartapolov, who co-authored the bill, said the change is designed to spread out the workload at recruitment centers, which he described as overwhelmed during the short draft cycles.
Supporters of the measure argue that year-round processing would make the system run more smoothly and improve accuracy.
The legislation also updates the process for applying to swap military duty for alternative civilian service.
Applications would be due by April 1 for the fall draft or by October 1 for the following spring. Men who lose deferments would have 10 days to reapply if they can prove military service conflicts with their beliefs or religion.
If finalized, the law will take effect January 1, 2026.
Moscow’s move follows earlier steps that raised the draft age to 30, blocked men with conscription orders from leaving the country, and sharply increased penalties for draft evasion.
