The State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) has approved legislation to start serving call-up papers online.

Of the 395 members of the State Duma who voted on the law proposing amendments to the country’s law on military service, 394 supported it and one abstained.  The State Duma has 450 members. 

The new legislation will come into effect when it is signed by President Vladimir Putin, which is likely to happen soon.

Until now, conscription papers in Russia have had to be served in person or via an employer.

Under the new legislation, call-up papers will be deemed to be served as soon as they appear on a special "State Services" government portal called "Gosuslugi".

According to Russian media reports, Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Andrei Kartapolov said on TV that the call-up paper is considered received from the moment it is placed in the personal account of a person liable for military service.  

From that moment, a conscript will be obliged to turn up at his local military registration and enlistment office.

Citizens who fail to show up will be banned from travelling abroad and could face other restrictions. They will not be able to buy or sell property, their driving licenses will be invalidated and they will be unable to register small businesses.

Meanwhile, the BBC reports that critics say the law is further evidence of authorities creating an "electronic Gulag", referring to the Soviet-era network of prison camps..

The Kremlin has denied the move is aimed at speeding up further mobilization of Russian men or putting a stop to widespread draft-dodging.

Many Russians have avoided the draft by moving away from where they were registered to live, or simply not opening the door when military officials came calling.  It is to be noted that thousands of Russians have avoided the draft to escape the war in Ukraine.