[Jessi_76]

There are so many things we learned while in Russia. The one thing that COMPLETELY took us by surprise and floored us was that when we were in the US Embassy for our interview they told us that if we bring our son back to Russia at any time during his life, because he is still a Russian citizen, he will be eligible to be drafted by the Russian Army when he turns 18. OH! MY! GOSH! Talk about shocker!! And, we weren't the only ones who were surprised...all of the other families there with boys were pretty shocked too. Wow!


And, the other thing, that I learned while there, and confirmed with my agency in the States when I returned (so I don't give out misinformation), is that the agency we used is getting boy referrals for families interested in a boy, very quickly. I cannot imagine what that must mean!! DAYS maybe?? I was given the impression that it will be pretty close to immediate. I mean, we only waited 2-1/2 months for two super young, SUPER healthy (yes, it went GREAT at the Children's Hospital) children. I still owe you the CH update. Anyhow, I just thought this was AMAZING considering how long it seems some families are waiting and thought I'd share for those who have not yet begun! PM Me if you want agency name. There are so many children waiting there...it just breaks my heart. I'm pretty darn certain too, due to finances and the fact that the first two are quite overwhelming (ha ha), that we won't ever be going back. Our family is now complete!

Ok...gotta go!! Almost lunchtime.
xoxo

[Stormster]

Well the US doesn't recognize dual citizenships so I don't think if he was living here anyone could drag him back to fight in the army.

Doesn't sound quite right to me....? Good luck and congratulations!

[kretzklan]

There have been numerous threads about the Russian draft thing. It seems the consensus is that it won't happen. They won't come here looking for these boys - and if you go there after the legal age (18) they will still have the protection of the US government as the US considers them US citizens only. Not that I'd want to go prancing around Russia when DS2 is 18 if there was a war or anything...

[MamaChinch]

I had heard this also, but didn't know how "true" it was or what the specifics were of it.

[Bcelli]

Their U.S. citizenship pretty much protects them. They have to relinquish Russian citizenship at 18, though. I think. I've been on numerous threads and still am foggy, but I too would not likely have the boys in Russia when they are 18. Never tempt fate. You never know how things might change. Our oldest went with us when he was 5/6 to bring his brother home. They didn't seem too interested then. :-)

There are always more boys available than girls in Russia. Russian men - as a rule - do not want to raise another man's son, and the same goes for many other countries that adopt from Russia. Consequently, the boys are left to languish in the system. It's very sad.
All we can really do is make a difference one child at a time.

[momofMikhail]

Thats kind of scary! My husband and I both agree after our son turns 18 and if he wants to visit his birth region we would take him. But this kind of scares me. Has anyone ever heard of them actually drafting a child after international adoption? If so, we might second guess our decission to take him. Then again we have plenty of time for things to change before he turns 18.

[Jessi_76]

I'm completely unaware of the specifics either; all I know is the woman at the US Embassy who interviewed us was VERY serious about it and looked us straight in the eye like, "I'm not joking" when she said it, as if warning us. She also told us that there was nothing the US could do to intervene. Hmmm.........

We always planned to take the children back when they were older, but since learning this, I'd certainly be leery. Dh and I always think though that they wouldn't want an English-speaking American who doesn't even know their language, but I guess you never know. Scary!

When we began our research on IA about a year and half ago, we were told repeatedly that 80% of the children in orphanages are boys; I'd venture to say that the number is even higher than that now. So sad...

[kretzklan]

There was also a long discussion about relinquishing their citizenship. It seems like a merry-go-round. You have to do it in person at an embassey - but then the fact that the embassey is considered "Russian soil" was brought up and so if they are 18 (which they have to be to relinquish) and go to the embassey - "could they" be held there to serve? I would certainly think that the US would protect them fully while in this country - no matter what "ground" you are standing on.
I think the folks working at the embassey are just as human as we are. They've told folks things before that they get from "rumors" and in their position, they shouldn't be forwarding on those thoughts. Remember that they always told APs that their child would get a SSN without doing anything in the states. Hee,hee...not quite and so many of us sat and WAITED for a long time assuming they knew of what they spoke!
I always thought you had to renew your child's Russian passport every five years (also told by the embassey lady)...know I've found out you do not have to do that at all.

[LouLouBelle]

We have a daughter, so I haven't studied the laws too closely. That being said, everything I have seen on various forums is that your son would have to be residing in Russia to be drafted. If his residence was still in the US (and just visiting Russia), he would not be drafted. I think the best advice would be to check the current feeling on this if/when your son wants to visit Russia after his 18th birthday.

As for citizenship, I've read you do not need to renounce Russian citizenship at 18. In fact, I've read that it is very difficult to renounce. Again, I have 14 years before DD is 18, so we will check it out at the then.

Welcome home with your kiddos!

[momraine]

I think that while it is technically possible, it's highly unlikely. Russia would have to be very, very desperate for soldiers to attempt to draft men who speak no Russian and who don't feel allegiance to Russia and who hold US citizenship. If they are in a war, they don't need additional problems with the US, unless that's who they are at war with, and of course in that case, most US citizens would not be traveling to Russia. Even though the US only recognizes our children as American, that does not stop Russia from claiming them as Russian citizens. So whether the US recognizes it or not, they are dual citizens. I do not know the procedure for the kids to renounce thier Russian citizenship. I do know they have to be 18 to do it, and until they do so Russia will consider them citizens. Again, they would have to be very desperate to ever try to draft a visiting US citizen though. Now if a boy moved there to live for some time then he might be in danger. Though rather than drafting him they would more likely try to woo him.

[Jessi_76]

Great points, and explanation, Lorraine!! Your "woo" him comment made me smile; thank you...I needed that.

Nighty-night everyone.

[MominPA]

We brought our son back to Russia when he was 8 without any issues. He even went to court with us when we adopted our second son. He also visited his former baby house. I will be bringing him back again when he is around 13.

From what I remember on another board, a Russia citizen living abroad is not required to serve in the military.

Another thing to consider is a person who doesn't understand or speak the language would not be benefical for the arm services.

It will be curious to see when the statstics come out for 2007 and 2008 the number of male vs female adopted. In the past the numbers were pretty close.

[mdaisyq]

Just an FYI. If you adopt a boy from Korea, you have to have your adoption agency send notification to Korea to have them removed from a listing of some sort, once the adoption is finalized in the US. There have been a few rare cases where families (and their agency) did not do this and their sons were drafted into the Korean military - regardless of whether they spoke the language or not. In Korea, there is a 2 year mandatory military service for all males.

Melissa
Mom to 4 from Korea and China
and almost Mom to a Russian son

[RussianJen]

Hi!

I talked to a Russian Army recruiter regarding this question, 'cause I can tell y'all are concerned. Basically he said that as long as they have a Russian passport (FYI - dual-citizenship passports are considered 'Russian' in Russia, and 'American' in America) and they are in the RF, they would be drafted at 18, regardless of where they've been residing. That is IF THEY ARE LIVING at a residence in Russia when they're between the ages of 18-26. Hotels don't count as residences.

In regards to 'coming to America' to get them, or anything like that - it's impossible. Once you're across the border in another country, they have no authority over you (even my friend who is Russian moved to France to avoid joining the military; two recruiters showed up at his mom's residence, and when she said he'd moved to France, they took him off the list.)

Anyway, hope that clears things up. More questions? I can try to answer!

[MominPA]

Thanks Jen. Glad to hear that clarification and it supports what I have heard that a Russian citizen living abroad (having residence abroad) is not required to be in the military.