# Russian courts cite school safety coursework to deny conscripts alternative civilian service

https://mins.news/en/item/67778

- Meduza, 2026-09-21 17:57 UTC
- Society
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/09/21/russian-courts-cite-school-safety-coursework-to-deny-conscripts-alternative-civilian-service

> Russian draft boards and courts are increasingly using grades in OBZh, now called OBZR, and school character references to reject conscripts seeking alternative civilian service, says Artem Klyga of the Conscientious Objectors Movement. He argues that grades show knowledge rather than beliefs and says parents can request exemptions from shooting and weapons training under freedom-of-conscience protections.