The move comes after a period of media reports that Russian school students in Moscow and a number of other cities had summonses sent to them.
— There is no talk in the Kremlin about some kind of mobilization wave, Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow after being asked a question about the matter.
— To be honest, this is the first time I’ve heard of this. What kind of invitations?
After the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin in September ordered a “partial” mobilization to strengthen the country’s army. Hundreds of thousands of men were called up, but just as many are believed to have fled the country to avoid becoming cannon fodder.
Last week, Putin approved a bill to make it possible to call up Russian citizens for military service digitally, regardless of where they are in the world. The summons order is considered to have been received the moment it is sent and lands in the recipient’s digital mailbox.
Anyone who does not appear within 20 days of receiving the summons will not be able to leave Russia, take a loan, register property or work as a private entrepreneur. According to observers, the law is the Kremlin’s attempt to prevent more Russians from fleeing their military duties.