Putin Signs Law Moving Russia too Year-Round Military Draft
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation eliminating the previous seasonal draft system and moving to a year-round conscription model, state news agencies reported today.The change,effective immediately,ends the traditional twice-yearly call-ups held in April and October.
The new law introduces a 30-day expiration date for electronic draft notices, a significant shift from the previous system with no time limit. Military authorities stated this aims to prevent draft boards from indefinitely holding potential conscripts in a state of uncertainty without actual deployment.
Supporters of the reform assert it will streamline administrative processes within military recruitment offices and distribute the workload more evenly throughout the year.The system is also intended to improve the overall quality of conscription and alleviate bottlenecks experienced during the bi-annual surges in recruitment activity.
The move comes amid Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine and follows the partial mobilization of reservists announced in September 2022. While officials maintain the shift is intended to improve efficiency, it signals a potential long-term commitment to maintaining a larger standing army.
