This is part of Russia's two-year periodic military recruitment program to supplement the army.
Interfax reported that the decree issued on March 31 stipulates that from April 1 to July 15, 160,000 men aged 18 to 30, who are not on the reserve, will have to perform military service. Those who have completed 12 months of mandatory service will be discharged from the army.
Previously, in the fall of 2024, Russia recruited 133,000 new soldiers to the army. In the context of the war with Ukraine showing no signs of cooling down, this military recruitment has raised many speculations about Moscow's new calculations.
However, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the military recruitment is not related to a special military campaign in Ukraine, and said that the new recruits will be sent to the fixed military positions of the units.
Under the new regulations, those called for military service will not be allowed to leave Russia. If they evade their obligations, they could be fined up to 30,000 rubles (about 353 USD).
Since 2023, Russia has changed the law to make summons effective immediately when posted on the electronic information portal, instead of having to be given out directly as before.
Every year, Russia organizes two military recruitment periods in spring and fall, calling up young men aged 18 to 30 to perform mandatory military service for 12 months. The 2024 spring military recruitment period recorded 150,000 people enlisting.
Before 2023, the maximum age of military service was only 27, but it was raised to 30 under the decree of President Putin to expand the army's area.
In addition to mandatory military service, Russia has implemented many other military recruitment measures such as military contracts. The Russian Defense Ministry encourages conscripts to sign contracts to become professional soldiers. In addition, Russia has mobilized reserve troops.
Before the outbreak of the Ukrainian conflict, Russia had one of the world's most powerful armies with about 1.15 million regular soldiers and more than 2 million reserve soldiers.
