Putin announces record fall military draft
Photo: Russians aged 18 to 30 will be drafted into the army (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree ordering a record military draft from October 1 until the end of the year, according to the official government website of legal acts.
Russia plans to conscript 135,000 people into the army. This exceeds any autumn draft for compulsory service since 2016, when 152,000 were called up.
The decree also stipulates the discharge of soldiers, sailors, sergeants, and petty officers whose terms of service have expired. Under the order, Russian citizens aged 18 to 30 who are not in the reserve and subject to conscription will be drafted.
The document also states that federal authorities and agencies must ensure compliance with the law regarding citizens who are subject to conscription.
Changes to mobilization in Russia
On September 24, State Duma deputies approved in the first reading a bill introducing year-round conscription.
According to the bill, starting January 1, 2026, the draft will run continuously from January 1 to December 31, instead of twice a year as it is now.
However, conscripts will still be sent to their duty stations in two periods: April 1 to July 15 and October 1 to December 31, based on decrees signed by the Russian leader.
Moscow continues to deny that conscription is related to the war in Ukraine and insists that draftees will not be sent to the front.
In August 2022, Putin signed a decree officially increasing the size of Russia’s armed forces to 1.15 million personnel.
