Mobilization reserve changes: who is affected, says commissar
At the end of 2025, Russia made changes to the legislation on the mobilization reserve. What they entail and who they affect was explained by the military commissar of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Sergei Agafonov.
The changes concern the rules for conducting special musters for reservists. They were regulated by two December documents:
by a Russian government resolution «On the Approval of the Rules for Conducting Special Musters of Citizens of the Russian Federation in the Mobilization Human Reserve of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation»;
by a decree of the President of Russia «On the Conduct of Special Musters of Citizens of the Russian Federation in the Mobilization Human Reserve of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation».
The changes to federal legislation also affect the Nizhny Novgorod mobilization reserve «BARS-NN». Sergei Agafonov noted that the concept of «special musters» was introduced for the first time.
«There is no association with the special military operation in the concept of «special musters». A clear definition has been given. The participation of reservists in special musters involves the protection and guarding of critically important facilities in the regions. This should not be confused with military musters, where people are prepared for military service,» explained the military commissar of Nizhny Novgorod Region.
These rules also regulate the duration of special musters. Their total duration should not exceed six months per year.
The mobilization reserve «BARS-NN» has been formed since last year. Its participants sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense, but are not sent to the SMO zone. They serve on the territory of the region and are engaged in protecting critically important facilities. As local authorities stated, the heads of 15 districts of Nizhny Novgorod Region have joined the ranks of reservists.
