Military draft intensifies in Moscow amid rights concerns
The number of conscription arrests in Moscow has increased 2.5 times compared to the previous year, reports the PrizyvaNet organization.
PrizyvaNet is a Russian organization specializing in providing legal and medical assistance to individuals subject to military service duty. According to the organization’s data, the number of conscription arrests in Moscow has increased 2.5 times compared to the previous year.
Those unfit for service are also being detained
"Throughout 2023, 87 young men of conscription age were detained, 23 of whom avoided being sent to the military. In the incomplete 2024 year, this number has already reached 225 people, of whom 66 managed to leave the assembly point" - the report states.
Detentions also involve individuals deemed unfit for service or those with diagnoses excluding them from conscription. PrizyvaNet lawyers cite several such cases: Herman S., suffering from bronchial asthma (a diagnosis excluding military service), was previously deemed fit. Although he appealed the decision in court, he was detained during a visit to the military enlistment office when picking up his call for a medical check-up.
Grigory, deemed unfit, was taken directly from work. Ilya K., also with a diagnosis excluding service, was detained on his way from work — first taken to the police station, then to the assembly point.
According to the "Conscripts' School" organization, in November 2024, mass raids on individuals of conscription age intensified in Moscow. Arrests occurred on the streets, in the metro, and even at homes. After being detained, conscripts were transported to police stations or assembly points on Ugreskaya Street. Many of them had previously received electronic summonses via the mos.ru portal.
Human rights defenders warn that individuals avoiding the receipt of summonses may be subject to search and forcibly brought to the assembly point. Potential conscripts are advised to temporarily relocate to another region during conscription-related activities.
Threats against conscripts
In mid-November, it was reported that Moscow military committees began sending text messages with notifications about restrictions for failing to respond to a summons.
Restrictions included the prohibition of leaving Russia, handling real estate, registering as self-employed or an entrepreneur, obtaining a foreign passport, taking out loans, and registering vehicles. The messages threatened criminal liability for evading service and called for immediate reporting to the recruitment point.
Previously, the "Conscripts' School" reported mass demands by Moscow military committees to fill out questionnaires regarding access to state secrets. Conscripts were not released from the points without completing the document, even though such actions are illegal.
Access to state secrets is granted only to individuals working with classified information or serving in special units. Refusal to fill out the questionnaire carries no legal liability — human rights defenders emphasize, advising against signing such documents.
