Russian Lawmakers Approve Year-Round Military Draft in Urgent Move
UPDATE: Russian lawmakers have just approved a bill to make military conscription a year-round process, intensifying efforts to bolster troop numbers amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The lower house, known as the State Duma, finalized the legislation on October 10, 2023, signaling a significant shift in Russia’s military mobilization strategy.
This new law allows conscription offices to summon draftees for medical exams and other procedures throughout the entire year. Previously limited to the spring and fall, the year-round draft aims to ease the burden on military offices and streamline recruitment processes. Once confirmed by the upper house and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, this measure could reshape the military landscape in Russia.
The State Duma argues that this change will improve efficiency in recruiting, yet draftees will still only enter military service during select months in spring and summer. Currently, all Russian men aged 18-30 are required to serve a one-year term, although many evade the draft through deferments related to education, health issues, and other exemptions.
Each conscription cycle typically brings in between 130,000 and 160,000 draftees. Despite official claims that draftees are not deployed in Ukraine, reports suggest that the military has pressured many to sign contracts as volunteers. Human rights activists have raised alarms over potential coercion in these recruitment practices.
As the conflict stretches into its fourth year, Putin’s military strategy has evolved. Following a partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists in fall 2022—a move that prompted widespread protests and mass emigration—authorities are now focusing on bolstering troop numbers with volunteers. In 2024, approximately 440,000 volunteers enlisted, and another 336,000 signed military contracts this year.
This new conscription law comes as Russian officials seek to address earlier military setbacks and maintain a robust fighting force in Ukraine. Reports indicate that the military now has over 700,000 troops deployed in the conflict, which began after Putin ordered troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
Amidst these developments, authorities are implementing stricter measures to combat draft evasion. An electronic register for conscripts has been introduced in some regions, allowing online summonses. Those who ignore these summonses face serious repercussions, including bans on bank transactions, driver’s license suspensions, and restrictions on international travel.
As the Kremlin continues to resist calls for a ceasefire from U.S. President Donald Trump and insists on maximalist demands regarding Ukraine, the implications of this year-round draft are profound. The international community watches closely as the situation evolves, with potential ramifications for the balance of power in the region.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, and as the Russian military’s recruitment strategies continue to unfold. The urgency of this news underscores the evolving dynamics of the conflict and its impact on both Russian society and international relations.
