Short on soldiers? Putin switches to year-round military draft
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian President (kremlin.ru)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that provides for conscription into the army throughout the entire calendar year, according to RIA Novosti.
According to the law, starting in 2027, conscription into the Russian army will take place from January 1 to December 31.
At the same time, citizens will be sent to their places of service, as before, from April 1 to July 15 and from October 1 to December 31.
The period for reporting under a summons from the military enlistment office cannot exceed 30 days from the moment it is published in the register.
Russian media have repeatedly reported that conscripts in Russia are being forced to sign contracts in order to replenish the ranks of soldiers fighting against Ukraine.
In particular, young Russians who refuse to sign a contract are threatened with beatings, being sent to a military detention facility, and even "erasure."
Conscription in Russia
At the end of September, the State Duma passed in its first reading a bill on conscription into the army throughout the entire calendar year, rather than only from April 1 to July 15 and from October 1 to December 31, as is currently the case.
Already on October 21, Russian lawmakers supported this initiative in the second reading.
According to British intelligence, Russia introduced these changes to reduce public sensitivity to mobilization processes.
Intelligence assessments suggest that this decision will ensure a steady flow of recruits and help evenly distribute mobilization efforts.
Notably, on September 29, Putin announced the autumn conscription campaign, which is set to last until the end of 2025. According to the dictator, this draft will be a record one — with plans to conscript 135,000 people.
