Russian President Vladimir Putin has mandated the conscription of 133,000 new servicemen. This autumn draft starts on 1 October and runs until the year’s end, as detailed in a Kremlin decree published Monday. The decree, appearing in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, specifies drafting citizens aged 18 to 30 who are not in the reserve. The head of Russia’s conscription office, Vice-Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, confirmed the 12-month service term in Russian military units remains unchanged. He emphasised that conscripts will not be deployed in the new regions for the special military operation.
Russia refers to its war in Ukraine, initiated with a large-scale invasion in February 2022, as a special military operation. However, Kyiv and its allies describe it as an unprovoked, imperialistic land grab. In late 2022, Russia annexed parts of southeastern Ukraine, naming them ‘new regions,’ a move widely condemned by the West.
In September, citing increased threats on Russia’s western borders, Putin ordered the Russian army’s expansion by 180,000 troops, aiming for a total of 1.5 million active servicemen. This increase would position Russia as having the world’s second-largest military, following China.
Putin orders conscription of 133,000 new soldiers to fight on the front line https://t.co/lOxAqCvkXx pic.twitter.com/bHGfJbISOd
— End Time Headlines (@EndTimeHeadline) October 1, 2024
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, along with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders, have held Putin responsible for the aggression in Ukraine and the threats posed to its neighbouring countries.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Kyiv Independent reports Russia plans to draft 133,000 men between October and January, intensifying conscription amidst ongoing Ukraine conflict.(read more)
- US News reports Putin orders conscription of 133,000 servicemen in Russia’s autumn draft, further escalating tensions amid Ukraine conflict, with recruits not bound for special military operation in newly annexed regions.(read more)
- RBC-Ukraine reports Putin’s directive for a military draft from October 1 to December 31, 2024, affecting 133,000 Russian citizens aged 18 to 30, amid Russia’s ongoing military expansion and significant losses in Ukraine.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How many new servicemen did Putin order for the autumn draft?
When does the Russian autumn draft start and end?
It starts on Oct. 1 and ends at the end of the year.
Who is eligible for the Russian autumn draft?
Citizens aged 18 to 30, not in the reserve.
Will conscripts be sent to the new regions or special military operations?
No, they will not be called up for special military operations.
