Draft Evaders Tracked Down in Moscow Metro Using Facial Recognition

Conscripts who failed to report to the military enlistment office after receiving a summons have begun to be apprehended in the Moscow metro using facial recognition technology.

One such case was reported by The Insider, citing the organization Civil Alliance of Russia (GAR).

It involves the detention of a 19-year-old conscript whose draft decision had previously been appealed out of court with the help of human rights advocates.

He was detained at the Timiryazevskaya metro station and taken to a collection point on Ugreskaya Street, where he has been held for several days. He is being forced to undergo a medical examination.

GAR representatives managed to contact him by phone. He reported that there are about 20 other individuals at the collection point who were detained in the same manner.

“When a conscript appeals the draft decision, but the military enlistment office submits his data to the Moscow system as if he were a draft dodger, the facial recognition system used by the police is triggered,” GAR explained.

Conscripts are being detained at various metro stations, and any documents they may have – including diagnoses or medical certificates – are being ignored.

Russia’s autumn conscription campaign began on October 1. As part of it, more than 130,000 men aged 18 to 30 are expected to be drafted into the army.

The campaign is being conducted using the Unified Military Registration Database, although paper summonses are still being issued.

In 2025, Russia has also significantly intensified its campaign to recruit contract soldiers, promoting so-called “non-combat” positions.
These positions most commonly include roles such as drivers, technicians, and logistics personnel.

In advertisements, these roles are presented as “safe” or “calm” options for military service.