Called up from the reserve: training camps, the 'special reserve', reservist mobilisation
First, work out your status. The 'reserve' (zapas) means almost every man who has served or received a military ID. The 'contract reserve' (mobilisation human reserve, 'Bars' units, 'mobile fire groups') means only those who signed a reserve contract with the Defence Ministry themselves. This decides where you can be called and what refusing means. If you are not sure whether you signed one, ask a Call to Conscience lawyer before going to the enlistment office.
Ordinary camps for the reserve. Decree No. 892 of 08.12.2025 allows reservists to be called up for training in 2026 to the army, the National Guard, the Emergencies Ministry, the FSO and the FSB. One camp lasts no more than 2 months, training camps are no more often than once every 3 years, and no more than 12 months in total while in the reserve (art. 54 of Law 53-FZ). Most summonses to reservists are 'to update records'.
Who is exempt from camps (art. 55 of Law 53-FZ): people living outside Russia, full-time and part-time students, teachers, fathers of three or more minor children living with them, people with grounds for a deferral, those who completed alternative service, and others. Human rights groups advise filing a written exemption application with copies of documents at the enlistment office and keeping a stamped copy.
Special camps for contract reservists. Law 411-FZ of 04.11.2025 allowed contract reservists to be sent to special camps to guard 'critical facilities' (energy, transport, refineries); Decree No. 1007 of 30.12.2025 started them in 2026. According to reports on the decree, the camps last up to 6 months a year, the time counts as military service, and reservists bear the liability of people on military training. Reservists without a reserve contract are not affected.
'Mobile fire groups' and 'Bars'. Regions have been recruiting people into anti-drone groups all through 2026 and promise payments. This is a reserve contract. Once you sign it, you can be sent to special camps, and during any camp you are liable under the military articles of the Criminal Code (art. 331). Call to Conscience advises not joining the reserve and not handing your military ID to enlistment office staff.
How to leave the contract reserve. The contract can be ended early by an attestation board: at your request for a valid reason, for family reasons (such as caring for a relative), or if the terms are breached (art. 57.8 of Law 53-FZ). Lawyers warn that in practice this is not easy. Apply in writing, get it stamped as received, and preferably work with a lawyer.
What not appearing means for a reservist. There is no criminal article for missing a summons to a camp or 'to update records': a fine of 10,000-30,000 roubles (art. 21.5 of the Code of Administrative Offences) and, after 20 days, temporary measures (driving licence, loans, property and car deals). Art. 328 of the Criminal Code applies only to conscripts. But once you have arrived at a camp, the military articles apply to you, including unauthorised absence.
The main risk is a contract. At camps and enlistment offices reservists are pressed to sign a military service contract or join the reserve, and if a new mobilisation is announced they may not be sent home from a camp (human rights lawyers quoted by Novaya Gazeta Europe). A contract can only be signed voluntarily (art. 32 of Law 53-FZ). If you are pressured, don't sign, complain to the military prosecutor, and see 'Pressured or forced to sign a military contract'.
Mobilisation. The 2022 partial mobilisation decree (No. 647) has not been revoked, but no new wave had been announced as of 26.09.2026, and the Kremlin denies the rumours. If mobilisation is announced, the law forbids people on the military register to leave their place of residence without the enlistment office's permission (art. 21 of Law 31-FZ); in 2022 the Defence Ministry said this rule does not apply to partial mobilisation. The law currently sets no exit ban for reservists, but in September 2026 a reservist was already stopped at the border (see 'Not allowed to leave Russia because of a summons').
Where to turn: Call to Conscience, Idite Lesom (a 'foreign agent'; only the @iditelesom_info_bot bot), the Conscientious Objectors Movement (a 'foreign agent'), Soldiers' Mothers of St Petersburg. This is not legal advice.
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How to avoid conscription and mobilisation; helps servicemen leave the country and find asylum.
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