The Kremlin confirmed again on Friday that it does not intend to launch a new mobilization campaign during which young men will be recruited and sent to fight in Ukraine , denying press reports that students had received summonses from the army to perform compulsory military service.

In response to a question about what was reported by Russian media about university students in Moscow and other Russian cities receiving summonses to perform military service, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, "There are no discussions in the Kremlin regarding any wave of mobilization."

"Honestly, this is the first time I've heard of this," he added.
"Any summons? I don't even know what (you're talking) about."

In September 2022, the Kremlin ordered a partial mobilization campaign, during which hundreds of thousands of young men were recruited, who provided momentum for its faltering offensive in Ukraine.

Since then, rumors of a new wave of mobilization have spread.
These rumors multiplied after President Vladimir Putin signed a law last week that was hastily approved by Parliament to facilitate the mechanism of mobilizing those wanted for compulsory conscription.

According to this new law, summonses for those wanted for compulsory military service can now be delivered electronically, via the Russian public services portal, or even handed over the summons to a third party, while the old law required handing over the summons.

Many young Russians required to perform compulsory military service took advantage of the old law to evade receiving their summons, whether by ignoring it, changing their place of residence, or even leaving the country.

Under the new law, every person required for compulsory service is considered to have evaded military service "if he refuses to receive his summons order or if he cannot be reached."
The law stipulates a long prison term for those who evade joining the army.