Duma speaker believes those on military registers are prohibited from leaving Russian Federation, but Defense Ministry disagrees

Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on Telegram that Russians who are on the military register during mobilization are forbidden to leave their place of residence without the permission of the military commissariat.

Volodin noted that one of the frequent questions that that has come up since the announcement of mobilization concerns citizens on the military register who leave the Russian Federation. According to the Duma speaker, the available information “gives explanations on this matter that often contradict each other.”

“I note that according to 31-FZ ‘On mobilization preparation and mobilization in the Russian Federation,’ from the moment mobilization is announced, citizens registered in the military registry are forbidden from leaving their place of residence without permission of military commissariat (article 21). This legal norm exists and all persons liable for military service must abide by it,” wrote Volodin.

After the announcement of mobilization in Russia, there were reports that men covered by the draft were not allowed to leave the country by border guards, explaining it was due to the law on mobilization.

The Russian Ministry of Defense explained that mobilization does not impose restrictions on the movement of citizens of the country. In response to the question whether men of conscription age can travel outside their region of residence and abroad, the portal “Объясняем.рф (explain.rf)“ launched by the government, also noted that under the conditions of “partial mobilization,” there are no restrictions on movement.

As "Meduza" wrote earlier, in accordance with Article 21 of the law "On mobilization training and mobilization," reservists may indeed be prevented from leaving Russia, but only after receiving a summons.

Lawyers also believe that the law does not provide for restricting foreign travel during mobilization. Pavel Chikov, head of the Agora human rights organization, published a review of legal norms related to mobilization and restrictions on citizens' movement, including the article to which Volodin referred. He concluded that a Russian citizen's right to leave the Russian Federation may be restricted only in cases provided for by Article 15 of the law "On the procedure for exit from the Russian Federation and entry into the Russian Federation. In particular, this document provides for a ban on departure of those who have already been called up for military service. As Chikov noted, the decision on conscription can be made after a medical examination at the military registration and enlistment office.