Yet another 150,000 Russian citizens have been called up compulsory military service (Picture: MOD/east2west news)
Vladimir Putin has called up yet another 150,000 people for statutory military service.
This is Russia’s highest conscription drive in eight years, and it comes amid losses on the frontline in Ukraine, a document posted on the Kremlin’s website showed on Sunday.
All men are required to undergo military service lasting a year, or the equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18.
In July Russia’s lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30 from 27. The new legislation came into effect on January 1, 2024.
Compulsory military service has long been a sensitive issue in Russia, where many men go to great lengths to avoid being conscripted during the twice-yearly call-up periods.
The Kremlin has promised that those forcibly enlisted for one-year military service will not be sent to the conflict zone in Ukraine, but families have little faith in the government.
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