Russian notaries in Moscow, Krasnoyarsk Krai and Samara Oblast have reportedly begun refusing to certify powers of attorney allowing third parties to represent conscripts at military enlistment offices. The reported practice could limit access to legal representation, although the supplied material does not establish that the refusals result from a formal legal ban.
Media reported on 30 September 2026 that several notaries had rejected such documents. Earlier cases were described as isolated and usually resolved by approaching another notary. The newer, repeated refusals have reportedly involved references to letters from regional notarial chambers and prosecutors.
The reported cases coincided with a decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 28 September 2026 that increased the authorised size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 service members.
Claims by rights groups
Representatives of the School of Conscripts and the Movement of Conscientious Objectors said that people of conscription age had contacted rights defenders after several notaries refused to certify powers of attorney. Timofey Vaskin, a coordinator of the Movement of Conscientious Objectors, said the refusals reflected systematic pressure from security bodies on the notarial profession.
According to these organisations, some notaries agree to powers of attorney covering the submission of applications but refuse to include authority to act during medical examinations or to remove a person from the military register. They say this can force individuals to attend enlistment offices in person, where they could face immediate conscription.
The groups also allege that notaries are imposing conditions not set out in legislation, including checks of summons registers and confirmation of a person’s non-conscription status or previous military service. They argue that administrative pressure is restricting the practical use of a formally available right to legal representation.
The supplied material states that guidance from notarial chambers and prosecutors does not have the status of binding legislation. It alleges, however, that some notaries are giving such guidance priority over federal law. The extent and legal basis of the reported practice across Russia were not independently established in the source material.
