Russia Implements Digital Draft to Tighten Military Conscription

Russia's State Duma has passed a new conscription law that includes sending draft summonses electronically and imposing penalties, restrictions, and curtailed rights on those who ignore draft notices. The amendments were passed unanimously by all but one deputy, and the majority of deputies who voted in favor of the amendments didn't know their contents until the time of the vote. The new system is believed to have been initiated by the Defense Ministry and may have a negative effect on the regime's approval ratings. The Kremlin insiders speculate that the new conscription system has been adopted in preparation for Ukraine's rumored counteroffensive.