One Way Ticket Legal Team
This article provides information solely about lawful mechanisms for protecting your rights under the current legislation of the Russian Federation. We do not advise on evading legal obligations.
Legal grounds for deferral
Russian law provides a number of grounds on which a citizen is entitled to a deferral from conscription. These are rights guaranteed by law, and exercising them is entirely legal.
- •🎓 Full-time students at accredited universities — deferral for the entire period of study
- •👨👩👧 Fathers of two or more children — deferral
- •👨⚕️ Medical grounds: chronic conditions, category "V" and below
- •👔 Civil servants in certain positions
- •⚙️ Employees of defense-industry enterprises (exemption via reservation)
- •🙏 Religious ministers — clergy of registered denominations
- •👴 The sole breadwinner of a large family or of parents unable to work
Medical fitness categories
Your fitness category is determined by the military medical commission (VVK) following a medical examination. A citizen has the right to an independent medical assessment and to challenge the VVK's decision in court.
- •Category A — fit without restrictions
- •Category B — fit with minor restrictions
- •Category V — fit with limitations (assigned to the reserve in peacetime)
- •Category G — temporarily unfit (deferral for treatment)
- •Category D — unfit (released from military duty)
💡 Important: you have the right to challenge a VVK decision in court. Practice shows that with proper legal support, courts do overturn the commission's initial ruling in a number of cases.
Alternative civilian service
The Russian Constitution (Article 59, Part 3) and Federal Law No. 113-FZ guarantee the right to replace military service with alternative civilian service (ACS). ACS lasts 21 months (versus the standard 12). The work is in state institutions, social services and environmental protection.
- •Grounds: beliefs or religious convictions incompatible with military service
- •Application deadline: 6 months before the start of the draft
- •Where you serve: state organizations, hospitals, nature reserves
- •Pay: minimal, but with a right to housing
“Knowing your rights is the first step to defending them. Our lawyers specialize in military service law and will help prepare every document properly, within the law.”