Fines, prisoners and restrictions on rights: the media compared the mobilization in Ukraine and Russia

General mobilization continues in Ukraine, during which conscripts between the ages of 18 and 60 can be called up. Also, this process continues on the territory of the Russian Federation. The media announced where stricter mobilization rules are in force.

According to the authors of the material, Kiev and Moscow need a huge number of soldiers, but if Ukraine needs them to protect their country, then the other side needs them to continue the war of aggression.

 

Mobilization in Ukraine and Russia: who is drafted into the army

 

In Ukraine, mobilization has been in effect since the first day of the war — February 24, 2022. Every three months, according to the decision of the president and the parliament, the state of emergency continues, and thus the mobilization.

In Russia, the so-called partial mobilization was announced only on September 21, 2022. The Ministry of Defense of Russia announced a month and a half ago that the mobilization process had been suspended, but that the recruitment of people was actually continuing.

Now the Kremlin, according to journalists, fills the reserves in two ways: mercenaries from poor countries in Africa and Asia and recruiting volunteers for contractual service under pressure or for a large financial reward.

 

"In Ukraine, men aged 25 to 60 can be mobilized. Previously, the minimum threshold for mobilization was 27 years. In the Russian Federation, there are no such clear restrictions, although the Ministry of Defense promised that only those who are from the reserve, with experience in service and the necessary military qualifications to be mobilized, and Russians aged 18 to 65 can be in the reserve," the message states.

As for military service, the Kremlin claimed that no one serving military service would be sent to the front, but such cases were recorded in the first months of the war. In Ukraine, since February 24, there is no conscription for military service, and men aged 18 to 25 can go to the front only at their own request.

The media remind that the mobilization resource of Russia today is 12 to 20 million people. In Ukraine – four to five million. Demobilization is not foreseen until the end of the war in any of the parties.

 

General mobilization: the process of serving calls

 

As the journalists write, Kyiv and Moscow changed their legislation almost simultaneously and introduced "absentee calls". Previously, citizens had to personally receive invitations to report to the military commissariat. Only after that it was considered delivered.

In Russia, the new invitations will be electronic and this news will come into force in November this year. They will be sent to the "State Services" portal or published on the call portal. Now the document will be considered delivered regardless of whether the conscript had the opportunity to read it.

Furthermore, possible restrictions will apply: ban on traveling abroad, driving a vehicle, entrepreneurial activities, loans, real estate registration and receiving benefits.

The BBC writes that a similar option of serving summons was initially considered in Ukraine, but it was abandoned. As a result, another variant of the so-called electronic call.

 

"In Ukraine, it will be in the form of sending an invitation by registered mail to the name of a military serviceman. Even if a citizen does not pick up this letter from the post office, the invitation will still be considered delivered. The Cabinet of Ministers, which established this procedure, announces that the invitations be sent by mail to those who have not updated their information by July 17. In addition to the summons, the TCC will have another "request", that is, a document that, for example, can be sent to the post office if a citizen violates the rules on military records and the police cannot to find," the message states.

If the conscript does not arrive at the TCC within 10 days, then the representatives of the Military Commissariat turn to the court and request that the right to drive a vehicle be revoked. Fines for misdemeanors can be imposed without the personal presence of the offender.

 

Penalties for violation of mobilization: where restrictions are stronger

 

In Ukraine, the amount of fines for violation of mobilization has been significantly increased. Now conscripts can be fined 17,000 to 25,500 hryvnias during wartime, which is 10 to 40 percent more than the average salary in the country.

Criminal punishment of citizens is possible only if they refuse or ignore the "combat" call itself. In this case, the sentence can be imprisonment for three to five years.

In Russia, as announced by the media, in the summer of 2023, the penalties for violating military records were increased. They have increased 10 times, but the amount is still less than in Ukraine. For failure to appear before the Military Committee, in Russia one has to pay 10,000 to 30,000 thousand rubles (from 4,500 to 13,500 hryvnias, — prim. aut.). One has to pay from 15,000 to 25,000 rubles (from 6,700 to 11,200 hryvnias, — ed.) to avoid VLK. If the Russian refuses to serve, he faces up to two years in prison or a fine of 200,000 rubles (90,000 hryvnias, — ed.).

 

"This situation does not suit the Russian authorities. Last year, the chairman of the defense committee of the State Duma, Andriy Kartapolov, announced the drafting of a new law that would introduce criminal responsibility for avoiding mobilization. For such violators, fines of up to 500,000 rubles (226,000 hryvnias, — ed. .) or a prison sentence of up to five years", the media announced.

 

 

Travel abroad and consular services for conscripts

From February 24, 2022, travel abroad in Ukraine was limited to those who do not have the right to a delay or special permission from the state. In April of this year, consular services were additionally temporarily suspended. Citizens can get help again, however, if they present their military documents or update their information in TCC and SP.

In Russia, only conscripts who are already waiting to be served with a summons are prohibited from leaving the country. At the same time, at the end of May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presented a draft law. It was said that citizens abroad who received the invitation will also be prevented from providing services.

 

Prisoner mobilization: what makes the difference

 

The journalists reminded that Russia already in the summer of 2022 began to recruit citizens serving prison terms and send them to the front, although the law did not allow this until recently. Until the new law, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally signed documents on individual pardons.

Among them, those accused and suspected of crimes of light and medium gravity can become soldiers. Consequently, convicts convicted of crimes against the sexual integrity of minors, "terrorists" and "extremists" cannot be invited.

 

It is known that in two years Russia managed to recruit 50,000 to 60,000 prisoners into the army.

 

In Ukraine, this process started only in May 2024, when the parliament adopted a similar law.

"Ukrainian prisoners will also be able to be released early by a court decision if they agree to sign a contract with the army. They will serve in "specialized units, if they have been sentenced for crimes such as robbery, theft, serious bodily injury, murder. Exceptions are those convicted of sexual violence, espionage, terrorism, separatism, murder of two or more persons, as well as corruption.

By the beginning of June, around 4,500 prisoners had agreed to be sent to the front.

Let us remind you that on May 29 it was announced that KNU students and teachers can be transported in TCC university cars. According to the rector of that educational institution, Volodymyr Bugrov, the issued order corresponds to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on ensuring notification of call-up and delivery of conscripts to their destination.