President Vladimir Putin on March 31 signed the annual spring conscription decree, calling for 150,000 citizens to participate in military service according to Russian law.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: Sputnik).
“150,000 citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 will be enrolled in the Russian Armed Forces from April 1 to July 15,” Sputnik quoting a post from the Kremlin’s website.
Russia has two military recruitment periods each year, spring and fall. All Russian men aged 18 and over are required to serve a year-long military service or receive equivalent training during their higher education.
In July 2023, the Russian House of Representatives voted to raise the maximum military enlistment age for men from 27 to 30 years old. The new law took effect from January 1 this year.
Compulsory military service has long been a sensitive issue in Russia. Some men try their best to stay off the call-out list.
According to this country’s law, soldiers participating in mandatory military service will not be mobilized to participate in combat outside Russian territory. However, news agency Reuters said some conscripts “were sent to the Ukrainian battlefield due to some confusion”.
Last September, Mr. Putin signed an order calling for 130,000 citizens to enlist. Previously, 147,000 people also participated in mandatory military service in the spring semester.
In addition, the document posted by the Kremlin said soldiers, sailors, sergeants and non-commissioned officers whose military service has expired will be demobilized.