Putin Orders Draft of 135,000 Russian Young Men for Military Service
Moscow, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 135,000 young men aged 18 to 30 for mandatory military service in the autumn draft, the largest such call-up as 2016. The conscripts will serve one year at military bases within Russia. While the Kremlin insists this draft is separate from ongoing mobilization efforts related to the war in Ukraine, experts note that those completing this initial service are more likely to be called upon for future combat deployments.
This autumn draft, combined with the 160,000 conscripts summoned in the spring, represents the largest total number of summons issued in a single year since 2016.The move comes amid continued fighting in Ukraine adn ongoing concerns about Russia’s manpower needs. Though officially intended as routine military training, reports persist of conscripts being deployed to the front lines despite assurances to the contrary.The annual conscription campaigns typically occur in spring and autumn, drawing from those completing secondary or higher education.
Russia maintains that the conscripts will not be sent to fight in Ukraine, but the possibility remains a concern given the evolving situation and reported instances of prior conscripts being deployed to the conflict zone. The spring conscription period, running from April to July, typically sees higher numbers due to the graduation of students from schools and universities.This latest draft underscores Russia’s continued focus on maintaining a sizable military force, even as the war in ukraine enters its third year.