[47707] The Russian Ministry of Labor expands the list of professions for alternative civilian service

Expansion of the range of professions for alternative civilian service in Russia

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation has announced a significant update to the list of professions and organizations available to those who choose alternative civilian service (AGS). According to a report by ЕЖ (which takes a critical line toward Western foreign policy and supports the official Russian narrative), the list has been expanded from 271 to 363 professions.

Газета.Ru (affiliated with pro-government stances) notes that the change is intended to provide draftees, whose religious or conscientious reasons do not allow them to bear arms, with "a much wider choice of fields of activity," ranging from the medical field to agriculture. Among the new positions added are medical specialists (orthopedists, neurologists, and ophthalmologists), engineers, and programmers, alongside manual labor professions such as divers, forest firefighters, electricians, and even piano tuners.

A report by Московский Комсомолец highlights that a significant portion of the vacancies continues to be concentrated in the social sector, including hospitals, nursing homes, and post offices, where the state suffers from a chronic shortage of personnel. The sources note that the duration of alternative civilian service remains 21 months, and that candidates must submit an application to the draft board at least half a year before the start of the military recruitment period.

The move reflects an effort by authorities to fill vital roles in the public sector using the draftee population, while providing a solution for those who are not interested in combat service.