Putin Signs Decree on Military Recruitment

A document published on the Kremlin's official website today, Sunday, shows that "Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree regarding routine military recruitment in the spring, and 150,000 citizens will be summoned for mandatory military service." Russia requires all men to serve in the military for one year or undergo equivalent military training while attending university starting from the age of 18. The Russian State Duma voted in July to raise the maximum age for recruitment from 27 to 30, with the new legislation set to take effect on January 1, 2024. Mandatory military service has long been a sensitive issue in Russia, as many men go to great lengths to avoid receiving conscription notices during the two designated recruitment periods each year. In September, Putin ordered the drafting of 130,000 individuals for the fall campaign, while Russia planned to recruit 147,000 last spring. The Russian General Staff announced on Friday that Russia will launch its spring military recruitment campaign on Monday, targeting thousands of young people aged between 18 and 30.